clavulanic acid
(redirected from Clavulanic acids)Also found in: Medical.
clav·u·lan·ic acid
(klăv′yo͝o-lăn′ĭk)n.
A compound, C8H9NO5, originally obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces clavuligerus, that inhibits action of the enzyme beta-lactamase, thus counteracting bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is used in combination with antibiotics such as amoxicillin to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
[New Latin clāvul(igerus), specific epithet (from clāvula, spore, diminutive of Latin clāva, club) + -an(e) + -ic.]
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