Clavulanic Acid
Information about Clavulanic Acid
Clavulanic acid uses
Clavulanic Acid is used in the treatment of bacterial infections.
How clavulanic acid works
Clavulanic Acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It works by blocking an enzyme (beta lactamase) produced by bacteria to inactivate antibiotics. This reduces resistance and enhances the activity of antibiotics against bacteria. It does not have any antibacterial activity of its own.
Common side effects of clavulanic acid
No common side effects seen
Available Medicine for Clavulanic Acid
Expert advice for Clavulanic Acid
- Take clavulanic acid containing antibiotics along with food and with plenty of fluids.
- Do not start or continue the clavulanic acid containing antibiotic tablets and consult your doctor, if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clavulanic acid, penicillins or any of the other ingredients of this drug.
- Do not take the drug without consulting your doctor, if you have kidney or liver problems.
- Do not take the drug without consulting your doctor, if you have any serious allergic reaction (skin rash, inflammation of blood vessels, fever, joint pain, swollen glands in neck, armpit or groin, swelling of face or mouth [angioedema], difficulty breathing, or collapse).
- Do not take clavulanic acid, if you have had penicillin-associated jaundice or skin rash, kidney or liver dysfunction.
Frequently asked questions for Clavulanic Acid
Clavulanic Acid
Q. What is Clavulanic Acid?
Clavulanic Acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It does not exert a clinically useful antibacterial effect on its own. It is used in combination with other antibiotics to increase their effect.
Q. Why is Clavulanic Acid used with amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic penicillin (beta-lactam antibiotic) that is easily broken down by beta-lactamase enzyme produced by some bacteria. Clavulanic Acid inactivates the beta-lactamase enzymes thereby preventing the breakdown of amoxicillin.