Which statement about clavulanic acid is true?

Which statement about clavulanic acid is true?

• A. It inhibits many beta-lactamases but not reliably AmpC
• B. It inhibits all beta-lactamases
• C. It has no effect on beta-lactamases
• D. It only works with penicillin G

Answer: (A)

Clavulanic acid works by blocking many beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria to destroy beta-lactam antibiotics. By inhibiting these enzymes, clavulanic acid lets the accompanying penicillin-type drug stay active longer, restoring its ability to kill bacteria. It’s especially effective against many class A serine beta-lactamases (like TEM and SHV), but it does not reliably inhibit AmpC enzymes (class C). That means bacteria producing AmpC can still resist even when clavulanic acid is paired with a beta-lactam. It isn’t a universal inhibitor—some beta-lactamases (including AmpC and metallo-beta-lactamases) aren’t effectively blocked. Also, clavulanic acid is used with several penicillins, such as amoxicillin, not only with penicillin G.

Clavulanic acid works by blocking many beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria to destroy beta-lactam antibiotics. By inhibiting these enzymes, clavulanic acid lets the accompanying penicillin-type drug stay active longer, restoring its ability to kill bacteria. It’s especially effective against many class A serine beta-lactamases (like TEM and SHV), but it does not reliably inhibit AmpC enzymes (class C). That means bacteria producing AmpC can still resist even when clavulanic acid is paired with a beta-lactam. It isn’t a universal inhibitor—some beta-lactamases (including AmpC and metallo-beta-lactamases) aren’t effectively blocked. Also, clavulanic acid is used with several penicillins, such as amoxicillin, not only with penicillin G.