• Clavulanic acid, also known by its potassium salt form clavulanate, is FDA approved for clinical use in conjunction with amoxicillin to treat certain bacterial infections. 
• Clavulanic acid contains a beta-lactam ring that binds to the beta-lactamase active site and inactivates the enzyme, thereby enhancing the antibacterial effect of beta-lactam antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. Clavulanic acid is classified as a suicide inhibitor of these beta-lactamases because it permanently inactivates the enzyme through chemical reactions at the active site. Clavulanic acid alone has no know antibacterial effect and is always used in combination with amoxicillin.

Amoxycillin + Clavulanic Acid is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is indicated for short-term treatment of bacterial infections of respiratory tract, genito-urinary tract, skin, bone, and tooth among others.

• vomiting,
• nausea,
• loose stools,
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea due to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid treatment is the most common adverse effect.

• All contraindications for clavulanic acid are considered in conjunction with amoxicillin since clavulanic acid is not administered by itself.  The drug combination is primarily excreted renally, so caution is necessary when a patient has renal impairment or is on hemodialysis.[
• The liver primarily metabolizes the drug combination and therefore, caution is necessary when given to patients who have liver damage or disease.