β-lactamase inhibitors
Definition
β-lactamase inhibitors are compounds that block the activity of β-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by bacteria to resist β-lactam antibiotics. They are often combined with β-lactam antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- β-lactamase inhibitors do not possess significant antibacterial activity on their own but work synergistically with β-lactam antibiotics.
- Common β-lactamase inhibitors include clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam.
- These inhibitors target the active site of the β-lactamase enzyme, preventing it from breaking down β-lactam antibiotics.
- The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid is a widely used example of a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor pairing known as Augmentin.
- Resistance to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations can still occur through mechanisms such as overproduction of β-lactamase or mutations in the enzyme.
Review Questions
- What role do β-lactamase inhibitors play in combating antibiotic resistance?
- Name three commonly used β-lactamase inhibitors.
- How does the combination of a β-lactam antibiotic and a β-lactamase inhibitor enhance antimicrobial efficacy?
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Related terms
β-Lactams: A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that include penicillin and cephalosporins.
Antibiotic Resistance: The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic.
Synergism: When two drugs work together to produce a greater effect than each would alone.
