ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Cephalosporin antibiotic with a beta-lactamase inhibitor
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional after reconstitution and dilution
Licensed infections
Complicated abdominal and urinary infections, acute pyelonephritis and, in adults, hospital-acquired pneumonia
Key assessment
Kidney function should be checked because renal impairment increases exposure and affects prescribing
What is ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium used for?
Licensed uses include:
Complicated intra-abdominal infections in adults and paediatric patients.
Acute pyelonephritis and complicated urinary tract infections in adults and paediatric patients.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, in adults.
How does ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium work?
Ceftolozane disrupts bacterial cell-wall production, killing susceptible bacteria. Tazobactam blocks several beta-lactamase enzymes that could break down ceftolozane, but it does not inhibit every resistance enzyme.
How to take ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium
This is a hospital-administered intravenous treatment. A healthcare professional reconstitutes and dilutes the powder using aseptic technique. The concentrate must not be injected directly.
Tell the team about previous reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins, carbapenems or other antibiotics.
Tell the team if diarrhoea or signs of another infection develop during or after treatment.
ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation or abdominal pain
- Headache or dizziness
- Fever or rash
- Infusion-site reactions
- Changes in liver enzymes or some blood-test results
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling, breathing difficulty or severe rash
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea, particularly with blood or mucus
- New or worsening kidney impairment
- Overgrowth of resistant bacteria or fungi
ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium in pregnancy
There are no human pregnancy data specific to this combination. Use should be considered only when the expected benefit outweighs possible fetal and maternal risks.
ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether ceftolozane or tazobactam enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The prescriber should balance effective maternal treatment, breastfeeding benefits and the infant's circumstances.
ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium interactions
Few clinically important interactions are expected through cytochrome P450 enzymes, but the clinical team should review all medicines.
Probenecid and other OAT1/OAT3 inhibitors
May slow removal of tazobactam and increase its blood concentration.
Common questions about ceftolozane sulfate + tazobactam sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it a penicillin?
No. Ceftolozane is a cephalosporin antibiotic; tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor structurally related to penicillins.
Can it be used with a penicillin allergy?
It is contraindicated after severe hypersensitivity to penicillins or other beta-lactams. Other previous beta-lactam reactions require careful clinical assessment.
Why is kidney function checked?
Both components are cleared mainly through the kidneys, so impaired or changing renal function can increase exposure and requires prescribing review.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.