Since the introduction of penicillin, -lactam antibiotics have been the antimicrobial

agents of choice. Unfortunately, bacteria can develop resistance to -lactam antibiotics

by producing enzymes called -lactamases, which attack and destroy the antibiotic. In
order to overcome this type of resistance, -lactamase inhibitors (clavulanate, sulbactam,
and tazobactam) were introduced into clinical practice. These inhibitors greatly enhance
the efficacy of their partner -lactams (amoxicillin, ampicillin, piperacillin, and ticarcillin) in
the treatment of serious Enterobacteriaceae and penicillin-resistant staphylococcal
infections.

According to an article, Three Decades of -Lactamase Inhibitors by Sarah Drawz and

Robert Bonomo, selective pressure from excess antibiotic use accelerated the
emergence of resistance to -lactam--lactamase inhibitor combinations. Furthermore,
the prevalence of clinically relevant -lactamases from other classes that are resistant to
inhibition is rapidly increasing. An immediate need exists to identify new -lactamase
inhibitors that can restore the activity of -lactams and that can provide protection against
bacteria producing such -lactamases.

Reference
Bonomo, R., & Drawz, S. (2010). Three Decades of -Lactamase Inhibitors. Retrieved
January 23, 2010, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2806661/