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Beta-lactamase inhibitors

Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം

Beta-lactamase inhibitors are medicines that protect certain antibiotics from enzymes made by resistant bacteria. They are always combined with a beta-lactam antibiotic, such as a penicillin, and are not used on their own. Examples include clavulanic acid with amoxicillin, sulbactam with ampicillin or cefoperazone, and tazobactam with piperacillin. These combinations are prescription medicines, and some are given only as injections in hospital.

Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.

How do Beta-lactamase inhibitors work?

Many bacteria make enzymes called beta-lactamases that break open beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, so the antibiotic stops working. A beta-lactamase inhibitor binds to these enzymes and switches them off, so the partner antibiotic can go on to kill the bacteria. On its own, an inhibitor has little effect on bacteria.

Active ingredients of this type

These active ingredients belong to Beta-lactamase inhibitors. They are listed A to Z.

  • Clavulanic acid: Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that protects the antibiotic amoxicillin from being destroyed by resistant bacteria.

Common questions

Is clavulanic acid an antibiotic?

Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor with very little antibacterial action of its own. Its job is to protect amoxicillin from enzymes made by resistant bacteria. That is why it is sold only together with amoxicillin, in combinations such as Augmentin.

Do beta-lactamase inhibitors work against every resistant bacterium?

No. They block many common beta-lactamases, but some bacteria make enzymes these inhibitors cannot block or resist antibiotics in other ways. Doctors use local resistance patterns and, where needed, laboratory tests to choose an antibiotic.

Sources

  1. Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors. StatPearls, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), US National Library of Medicine
  2. AUGMENTIN 625 / 1g DUO (amoxycillin and potassium clavulanate tablets IP): prescribing information (revised 16 October 2025). GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, India
  3. Beta-Lactam Antibiotics. StatPearls, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), US National Library of Medicine
  4. ATC/DDD Index: J01CG Beta-lactamase inhibitors and J01CR Combinations of penicillins, incl. beta-lactamase inhibitors. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology