Î’-Lactamase inhibitor

β -lactamase inhibitors, have a chemical structure similar to β -lactam antibiotics, however, has up to sulbactam no antibacterial effect. Bind irreversibly to the enzyme β -lactamase which is produced by some bacteria and thereby prevent the inactivation of the β -lactam antibiotics. This will increase the effect of β -lactam antibiotics.

β -lactamase inhibitors are usually used in combination with β -lactam antibiotics. For example, the broad-spectrum antibiotic Augmentin contains the β -lactam antibiotic amoxicillin and the β - lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid or tazobactam in combination with piperacillin in the trade.

Source

• WRHeizmann, P.Heizmann: Vademecum Infectious Diseases 2007

• Antibiotic
• Enzyme inhibitor