Final answer:
Ampicillin is combined with sulbactam to enhance their efficacy against bacterial infections. The fixed-dose combination drug of ampicillin and sulbactam is called ampicillin/sulbactam or ampicillin/sulbactam sodium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ampicillin is often combined with sulbactam because they have a synergistic interaction, meaning that their combined effect is stronger than when used individually. Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, while sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that prevents the deactivation of ampicillin by beta-lactamase enzymes.
The fixed-dose combination drug of ampicillin and sulbactam is called ampicillin/sulbactam or ampicillin/sulbactam sodium. It is commonly used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and intra-abdominal infections. Such combinations are a crucial strategy in addressing drug resistance and optimizing the efficacy of existing antibacterial agents.