clavulanic acid

English

Chemical structure of clavulanic acid

Etymology

From translingual Streptomyces clavuligerus +‎ -ane +‎ -ic and acid.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌklæv.jəˌlæn.ɪk ˈæs.ɪd/

Noun

clavulanic acid (uncountable)

1. (organic chemistry, pharmacology) A beta-lactam compound C₈H₉NO₅ produced by the bacterium Streptomyces clavuligerus that is a beta-lactamase inhibitor and is usually used in the form of its clavulanate salt of potassium especially in combination with amoxicillin.

Derived terms

• clavulanate

References

• “clavulanic acid”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.