Beta-lactamase inhibitor
Beta-lactamase inhibitor
Beta-lactamase inhibitors are a class of medications that are used to counteract the effects of beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by certain types of bacteria and can render beta-lactam antibiotics ineffective.
Pronunciation
Beta-lactamase inhibitor: /ˈbeɪtə lækˈteɪm eɪs ɪnˈhɪbɪtər/
Etymology
The term "beta-lactamase inhibitor" is derived from the name of the enzyme it inhibits, "beta-lactamase". The prefix "beta" is from the Greek letter β (beta), used here to denote the second in a series. "Lactam" is a portmanteau of "lactone" and "ammonia", referring to the compound's structure, which includes a lactone ring and an amide group. "Inhibitor" comes from the Latin "inhibere", meaning "to hold back", referring to the drug's function of preventing the action of beta-lactamase enzymes.
Related Terms
- Beta-lactam antibiotics: A class of antibiotics that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. They are susceptible to degradation by beta-lactamase enzymes.
- Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can be harmful or beneficial. Some bacteria produce beta-lactamase enzymes to resist the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in cells. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by certain bacteria.
- Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic. Beta-lactamase inhibitors are used to combat antibiotic resistance.
Usage
Beta-lactamase inhibitors are often used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that have become resistant to these antibiotics. The inhibitor prevents the beta-lactamase enzyme from breaking down the antibiotic, allowing it to effectively kill the bacteria.
See Also
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