Avibactam is primarily used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness against resistant bacterial infections. It works by inhibiting beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by bacteria to break down antibiotics, thereby rendering them ineffective. This makes avibactam particularly valuable in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, such as those in the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is commonly paired with ceftazidime, a cephalosporin antibiotic, to treat complicated urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, and hospital-acquired pneumonia. The combination therapy helps restore the activity of ceftazidime against resistant strains, providing a critical option in clinical settings where traditional antibiotics fail. Its use is typically reserved for serious infections where other treatments are not suitable.