Antibiotic
sulbactam
Brand Names:
Unasyn
May Treat:
Acinetobacter Infections; Escherichia coli Infections; Intraabdominal Infections; Klebsiella Infections; Proteus Infections; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Staphylococcal Infections
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to sulbactam:
  • A beta-lactamase inhibitor with very weak antibacterial action. The compound prevents antibiotic destruction of beta-lactam antibiotics by inhibiting beta-lactamases, thus extending their spectrum activity. Combinations of sulbactam with beta-lactam antibiotics have been used successfully for the therapy of infections caused by organisms resistant to the antibiotic alone.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A semi-synthetic beta-lactamase inhibitor. The beta-lactam ring of sulbactam irreversibly binds to beta-lactamase at or near its active site, thereby blocking enzyme activity and preventing metabolism of other beta-lactam antibiotics by the enzyme. Combining this agent with a beta-lactamase susceptible antibiotic, such as penicillins or a cephalosporin, to treat infections caused by beta-lactamase producing organisms, results in a decreased turnover rate of the beta-lactamase sensitive antibiotic and enhances its antibacterial activity.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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