CLAVULANIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Clavulanic acid is a powerful β-lactamase inhibitor that is commonly used in combination with certain antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness. It is a naturally occurring compound that was first isolated from the bacteria Streptomyces clavuligerus. Clavulanic acid acts as a suicide inhibitor of β-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria as a defense mechanism to destroy β-lactam antibiotics.
β-lactamases are enzymes that can hydrolyze the β-lactam ring present in certain antibiotics, rendering them ineffective against bacterial infections. By irreversibly binding to and inhibiting these enzymes, clavulanic acid protects the antibiotic from degradation, allowing it to successfully target and destroy the bacteria. This property makes clavulanic acid particularly useful in combination with β-lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, and ticarcillin, among others.
Clavulanic acid is commonly administered orally or intravenously, depending on the formulation, and is rapidly distributed throughout the body. It has a relatively short half-life, requiring multiple doses throughout the day to maintain effective concentrations in the bloodstream.
While generally well-tolerated, clavulanic acid may cause adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also rarely lead to allergic reactions or liver toxicity in some individuals.
In conclusion, clavulanic acid is a potent inhibitor of bacterial β-lactamases, working synergistically with β-lactam antibiotics to combat bacterial infections that would otherwise be resistant to treatment.
Common Misspellings for CLAVULANIC ACID
- xlavulanic acid
- vlavulanic acid
- flavulanic acid
- dlavulanic acid
- ckavulanic acid
- cpavulanic acid
- coavulanic acid
- clzvulanic acid
- clsvulanic acid
- clwvulanic acid
- clqvulanic acid
- claculanic acid
- clabulanic acid
- clagulanic acid
- clafulanic acid
- clavylanic acid
- clavhlanic acid
- clavjlanic acid
- clavilanic acid
- clav8lanic acid
Etymology of CLAVULANIC ACID
The term "Clavulanic Acid" is derived from the Latin word clavula, meaning "small key", and the suffix -anic, indicating it is an organic compound. The name was chosen because clavulanic acid acts as a "key" that opens up a binding site on enzymes called beta-lactamases, thus inhibiting their activity. This property makes clavulanic acid a valuable component in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics, as it helps to enhance their effectiveness against resistant bacteria.
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