Compound Monograph
Clavulanic acid
Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactam compound from a Streptomyces bacterium, used to protect antibiotics from bacterial resistance enzymes.
Sources · 1
Where Does It Come From?
Clavulanic acid is a naturally occurring beta-lactam (beta-lactamase inhibitor), found in Soil bacterium. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Concentration
Content by Source
Concentrations not reported. No percent-dry-weight or mg/g figures have been published for this compound in its source plants.
Research & Evidence
Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactam compound originally isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces clavuligerus. It has little antibacterial activity of its own but is a potent inhibitor of beta-lactamase, the enzyme many bacteria use to destroy penicillin-type antibiotics. For this reason it is combined with antibiotics such as amoxicillin (as co-amoxiclav) to restore their effectiveness against resistant bacteria. It is a prescription medicine.
Toxicity & Safety
In the combination products that contain it, clavulanic acid is generally well tolerated, with gastrointestinal upset being the most common complaint. It has been associated with rare cases of liver effects, particularly with prolonged or repeated courses. As a prescription antibiotic component it should be used only under medical direction.
