Augmentin consists of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. What is the role of clavulanic acid?

• A. Inhibits beta-lactamase
• B. Increases absorption
• C. Decreases side effects
• D. Extends half-life

Answer: (A)

Clavulanic acid acts to protect amoxicillin by inhibiting beta-lactamase enzymes produced by resistant bacteria. These enzymes would normally break open the beta-lactam ring of amoxicillin, inactivating it. Clavulanic acid binds to the enzyme and inactivates it, effectively preventing degradation of amoxicillin so the antibiotic can work. Since clavulanic acid has little antimicrobial activity on its own, its main purpose is to broaden the activity of amoxicillin against beta-lactamase–producing strains. That’s why Augmentin is effective against organisms that would resist amoxicillin alone. It doesn’t primarily increase absorption, reduce side effects, or extend the antibiotic’s half-life.