Clavulanic acid is an aminoglycoside antibiotic naturally produced by the bacterium known as Streptomyces clavuligerus. Used alone it has a poor antibacterial effect, but is a powerful inhibitor of progressive beta-lactamase of many bacteria such as Gram-negative bacteria and the Staphylococcus aureus.
Clavulanic acid is able to inactivate both extracellular enzymes and membrane enzymes as it penetrates through the bacterial cell wall: here it prevents the destruction of the beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins) and broadens the activity and the spectrum of action against many resistant strains.
Clavulanic acid by itself has little antibacterial power, and if used by itself it has no antibacterial effectiveness: this is why it is not given alone but in combination with other antibiotics such as amoxicillin, carbenicillin and ticarcillin.
What is Clavulanic acid?
Clavulanic acid is used to prevent the destruction of beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins), and expand the activity and the spectrum of action of these same antibiotics against many resistant strains. It is not administered alone, but it is usually combined with amoxicillin, carbenicillin and ticarcillin.
How should Clavulanic acid be taken?
Clavulanic acid is typically available for oral or parenteral use usually associated with amoxicillin, carbenicillin and ticarcillin.
Side effects associated with Clavulanic acid
Since clavulanic acid is not administered alone, there may be evident side effects that can be triggered by taking one of the more common combinations involving clavulanic acid or amoxicillin + clavulanate. When associated with amoxicillin, the main adverse effect of the drug is the increased incidence of jaundice and acute hepatitis. Purpura and Stevens Johnson syndrome appear to have a higher incidence when amoxicillin is associated with clavulanic acid.
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Clavulanic acid
In cases of pregnancy, the limited data available on the use of amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid during this particular period of life of the woman does not indicate an increased risk of congenital malformations: the use in pregnancy must however be avoided, unless it is considered essential by the physician to the mother's well-being.
In terms of breast-feeding, both substances are excreted into breast milk: since there are no known side effects of clavulanic acid for the child, you should refrain from taking the drug during lactation unless it is considered essential by the physician.
