Beta-lactamase inhibitors are proteins designed to inhibit or destroy the effectiveness of beta-lactamase enzymes. Inhibitors generally have little antimicrobial properties themselves and so are combined with a beta-lactam antibiotic. These inhibitors (clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam) function by binding to the beta-lactamase enzymes more "efficiently" than the actual beta-lactam antibiotic itself. This combination allows the antibiotic "do its job" without being degraded by the beta-lactamase enzymes. Several antibiotic/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations exist on the market. However, only Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate) is available for use in pediatric AOM. Click here for more information on Augmentin.