Chemicals and Drugs

Clavulanic Acids

Acids, salts, and derivatives of clavulanic acid (C8H9O5N). They consist of those beta-lactam compounds that differ from penicillin in having the sulfur of the thiazolidine ring replaced by an oxygen. They have limited antibacterial action, but block bacterial beta-lactamase irreversibly, so that similar antibiotics are not broken down by the bacterial enzymes and therefore can exert their antibacterial effects.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Acids, salts, and derivatives of clavulanic acid (C8H9O5N). They consist of those beta-lactam compounds that differ from penicillin in having the sulfur of the thiazolidine ring replaced by an oxygen. They have limited antibacterial action, but block bacterial beta-lactamase irreversibly, so that similar antibiotics are not broken down by the bacterial enzymes and therefore can exert their antibacterial effects.

MeSH Record

Classification

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Acids, Clavulanic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

/biosyn permitted if by living matter

MeSH Record

History Note

83

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Amides (1966-1973)
  • Amidohydrolases (1966-1978)
  • Lactams (1974-1982)
  • Penicillinase (1966-1978)
  • beta-Lactamases (1979-1982)

MeSH Hierarchy

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MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 350

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Clavulanic Acids. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002969. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002969
  2. Clavulanic Acids. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100989452