amoxicillin + clavulanic acid

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is a combination antibacterial therapy consisting of the semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid (administered as potassium clavulanate). Amoxicillin exerts its bactericidal activity by binding to and inactivating penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall, which inhibits the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains necessary for cell wall stability. Clavulanic acid acts as a suicide inhibitor of various beta-lactamase enzymes, which are commonly produced by resistant bacteria to degrade penicillins. By binding covalently to these enzymes, clavulanic acid protects amoxicillin from degradation, thereby extending its spectrum of activity to include many beta-lactamase-producing organisms. In clinical practice, this combination is a standard-of-care treatment for various infections, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Pfizer has utilized this combination as a primary comparator in Phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of other antibiotics, such as azithromycin, in patients with chronic bronchitis.

Brand names

AugmentinClavulin

Other names

co-amoxiclavamoxicillin-clavulanateamoxicillin-clavulanic acid