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Clavulanic acid
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<p>Clavulanic acid is a <a href="/facts/%25CE%2592-lactam_antibiotic/MTqEtwsg">β-lactam drug</a> that functions as a <a href="/facts/Suicide_inhibition/CH35UBB5">mechanism-based</a> <a href="/facts/%25CE%2592-lactamase_inhibitor/oggKG7Mu">β-lactamase inhibitor</a>. While not effective by itself as an <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotic</a>, when combined with <a href="/facts/Penicillin/Abo8VQ3p">penicillin</a>-group antibiotics, it can overcome <a href="/facts/Antibiotic_resistance/jsbAywgx">antibiotic resistance</a> in <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> that secrete <a href="/facts/Beta-lactamase/8PdHT21m">β-lactamase</a>, which otherwise inactivates most penicillins. </p><p>In its most common preparations, potassium clavulanate (clavulanic acid as a salt of potassium) is combined with: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Amoxicillin/ny596nAN">amoxicillin</a> (<a href="/facts/Co-amoxiclav/x19u4Lgj">co-amoxiclav</a>, trade names Augmentin, Clavulin, Tyclav, Clavaseptin (<a href="/facts/Veterinary/KYNaodgl">veterinary</a>), Clavamox (<a href="/facts/Veterinary/KYNaodgl">veterinary</a>), Synulox (<a href="/facts/Veterinary/KYNaodgl">veterinary</a>), and others)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ticarcillin/ou0F7TtM">ticarcillin</a> (<a href="/facts/Co-ticarclav/tFXVCaYT">co-ticarclav</a>, trade name Timentin)</li></ul> <p>Clavulanic acid was patented in 1974. In addition to its β-lactamase inhibition, clavulanic acid shows <a href="/facts/Off-target_activity/Ksu88gav">off-target activity</a> in the <a href="/facts/Nervous_system/CDxRKU2U">nervous system</a> by upregulating the <a href="/facts/Glutamate_transporter_1/7eknqf68">glutamate transporter 1</a> (GLT-1) and has been studied in the potential treatment of a variety of <a href="/facts/Central_nervous_system/k8I6To97">central nervous system</a> disorders. </p>