piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Penicillin antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor
Usual role
Treatment of serious infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, skin, soft tissues or blood
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a healthcare professional
Important checks
Allergy history, kidney function, electrolytes and interacting medicines
What is piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium used for?
The selected product is licensed for these bacterial infections:
In adults and adolescents: severe pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infection, complicated intra-abdominal infection, and complicated skin and soft-tissue infection
Bacteraemia associated with, or suspected to be associated with, these infections
Suspected bacterial infection in patients with neutropenia and fever
In children aged 2–12 years: complicated intra-abdominal infection and suspected bacterial infection associated with neutropenic fever
How does piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium work?
Piperacillin kills susceptible bacteria by disrupting cell-wall construction. Tazobactam blocks many beta-lactamase enzymes that could break down piperacillin, but does not overcome every resistance mechanism.
How to take piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium
A trained healthcare professional prepares and gives this treatment by intravenous infusion. It is administered separately from other medicines unless compatibility has been established.
Tell the clinical team about previous reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems or monobactams.
Do not mix the selected product with aminoglycosides, sodium bicarbonate solutions, Hartmann’s solution, blood products or albumin hydrolysates.
piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or constipation
- Headache or difficulty sleeping
- Rash or itching
- Thrush or another Candida infection
- Fever or an infusion-site reaction
- Changes in blood counts, clotting tests, kidney tests or liver enzymes
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Blistering, peeling or widespread severe skin reactions
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea, which may indicate antibiotic-associated colitis
- Seizures, confusion or other signs of encephalopathy
- Unexpected bleeding or severe blood-cell abnormalities
- Kidney injury or markedly reduced urine output
- Jaundice or suspected hepatitis
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium in pregnancy
Information from pregnant patients is limited, and both components cross the placenta. Treatment may be considered when clearly indicated after the prescriber weighs expected benefit against possible fetal risks.
piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium while breastfeeding
Piperacillin passes into breast milk in low amounts, while information for tazobactam is limited. Penicillin antibiotics may be used during breastfeeding after individual assessment for a healthy, full-term infant. Monitor for diarrhoea, thrush, rash, feeding changes or breathing problems.
piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium interactions
Review prescribed, non-prescription and peri-operative medicines before treatment.
Vancomycin
Combined use is associated with increased acute kidney injury; renal function needs close attention.
Methotrexate
Piperacillin may reduce methotrexate elimination and increase toxicity.
Heparin, oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
Effects on haemostasis may increase bleeding risk.
Common questions about piperacillin sodium + tazobactam sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used to treat?
It treats serious susceptible bacterial infections, including certain lung, urinary, abdominal, skin, soft-tissue and bloodstream infections, and suspected bacterial infection in some patients with neutropenic fever.
Why are the two components combined?
Piperacillin kills susceptible bacteria, while tazobactam blocks many enzymes that can destroy penicillin antibacterials.
How is it given?
It is prepared and given into a vein by a healthcare professional.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.