Amoxicillin & Potassium clavulanate in otitis media

[Oak]

A 5 year old girl is diagnosed with otitis media and is prescribed an antibiotic preparation containing both amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate. Potassium clavulanate is added to amoxicillin because it has which of the following pharmacologic actions?

A. It has antifungal properties
B. It increases amoxicillin blood levels
C. It inhibits beta-lactamases
D. It prevents the intestinal side effects caused by amoxicillin
E. It prevents potassium loss caused by amoxicillin

[orthodox]

i think its b'coz pot. clavulanate is B-lactamase inhibitor and it prevents destruction of B-lactum ring in amoxicillin so the two drugs are given in combination

[phenobarb]

c..................

[Hero]

yup, i'll also go with (C)

[JNUS]

C. It inhibits beta-lactamases

[Oak]

Yh, the correct answer is C. The combination product Augmentin contains both amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate. This product is commonly used in the treatment of a wide variety of infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing strains of many different bacteria. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme commonly produced by resistant strains of bacteria. This enzyme, as the name suggests, inactivates beta-lactam antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. The potassium clavulanate contained in Augmentin can inactivate a wide variety of beta-lactamase enzymes by blocking their active sites. When these enzymes are blocked, amoxicillin can exert its antibacterial effect.

Potassium clavulanate does not have antifungal properties (choice A) and does not increase amoxicillin blood levels (choice B).

Potassium clavulanate does not prevent the intestinal side effects caused by the amoxicillin (choice D). In fact, potassium clavulanate causes adverse gastrointestinal side effects.

Amoxicillin does not cause significant potassium loss (choice E).