Clinical indications for beta-lactamase inhibitors in comparison to other antibiotics.

Combinations of beta-lactamase inhibitors and beta-lactam antibiotics have been used as a therapeutic strategy to overcome the growing problem of bacterial resistance. They have significant advantages over other existing antibiotic regimens and several such combinations have been developed for clinical use. Susceptibility studies have demonstrated the ability of sulbactam to extend the antibacterial activity of ampicillin to cover beta-lactamase-producing resistant strains. The clinical efficacy and safety of sulbactam/ampicillin has been emphasized by the results from a number of randomized trials, including studies in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease, and diabetic foot infections. These studies have established the key role of sulbactam/ampicillin in the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections.