In vitro inactivation of aminoglycosides by sulbactam, other beta-lactams, and sulbactam-beta-lactam combinations.

At clinically achievable levels (e.g., 25 micrograms/ml), sulbactam exerted no effect on aminoglycoside concentrations when incubated together in pooled serum at 37 degrees C for up to 24 h. Sulbactam alone and in combination with ampicillin or cefoperazone inactivated tobramycin, gentamicin, netilmicin, and amikacin in vitro when the sulbactam concentration was 200 to 225 micrograms/ml. At 75 micrograms/ml, sulbactam inactivated only tobramycin. Inactivation of tobramycin by high concentrations of sulbactam occurred even at -20 degrees C, but not at -70 degrees C, and was influenced by the serum matrix.