Clavulanic Acid

Clavulanic acid (rINN) ( /klævjuːˌlænɨk ˈæsɨd/) is a mechanism-based β-lactamase inhibitor (marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, formerly Beecham) combined with penicillin group antibiotics to overcome certain types of antibiotic resistance. It is used to overcome resistance in bacteria that secrete β-lactamase, which otherwise inactivates most penicillins.
In its most common form, the potassium salt potassium clavulanate is combined with:

• amoxicillin (co-amoxiclav, trade names Augmentin, Synulox, and others) or
• ticarcillin (co-ticarclav, trade name Timentin).

The substance is also under investigation as a NAALADase inhibitor with purported antidepressant and aphrodisiac properties. Clinical trials are underway on XR ("Serdaxin") and IR ("RX-10100", "Zoraxel") formulations by Rexahn in the US, although the Phase II results are not encouraging.

Clavulanic acid is an example of a clavam.