piperacillin + tazobactam at a glance
Medicine class
Penicillin antibiotic combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor.
Main role
Treatment of susceptible serious infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, skin or bloodstream.
Administration
Given by intravenous infusion; it is not taken by mouth.
Important checks
Allergy history, kidney function, blood counts, electrolytes and liver tests may require review.
Sodium
The selected two-chamber bag has substantial sodium content, relevant to controlled-sodium diets.
What is piperacillin + tazobactam used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for the following bacterial-infection settings.
Adults and adolescents: severe pneumonia, including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Adults and adolescents: complicated urinary tract infection, including pyelonephritis.
Adults and adolescents: complicated intra-abdominal infection.
Adults and adolescents: complicated skin and soft-tissue infection, including diabetic foot infection.
Bacteraemia associated with, or suspected to be associated with, the licensed adult infections.
Management of neutropenic adults or adolescents with fever suspected to be caused by bacterial infection.
Children aged 2 to 12 years: complicated intra-abdominal infection.
Management of neutropenic children aged 2 to 12 years with fever suspected to be caused by bacterial infection.
How does piperacillin + tazobactam work?
Piperacillin kills susceptible bacteria by disrupting construction of their cell wall. Tazobactam blocks many beta-lactamase enzymes that would otherwise break down piperacillin, extending activity to some resistant bacteria. It does not overcome every resistance mechanism.
How to take piperacillin + tazobactam
A healthcare professional gives it into a vein. The selected product is a two-chamber bag whose powder and solvent are mixed before use. Home administration should occur only after training and with support from a specialist intravenous-antibiotic team.
It is not swallowed and food does not affect administration.
Do not mix it with another medicine unless compatibility for the exact product and administration system has been confirmed.
Report pain, redness, leakage, resistance to flushing or discharge around the intravenous line promptly.
piperacillin + tazobactam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or indigestion
- Headache
- Rash or itching
- Fever or an infusion-site reaction
- Candida infection, such as thrush
- Changes in blood counts, kidney markers or liver tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe immediate allergy, including anaphylaxis
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread skin reactions
- Severe or persistent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea or colitis
- Kidney injury or inflammation
- Seizures or encephalopathy, particularly when clearance is reduced
- Serious blood-cell disorders or abnormal bleeding
- Rhabdomyolysis, with severe muscle pain or weakness and dark urine
- Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, an uncommon severe inflammatory syndrome
piperacillin + tazobactam in pregnancy
Specific pregnancy data are limited, and piperacillin and tazobactam cross the placenta. The selected product should be used only when clearly indicated after weighing the benefits of treating infection against possible fetal risks.
piperacillin + tazobactam while breastfeeding
Piperacillin passes into milk in low or negligible amounts; direct information for tazobactam is limited. Penicillin antibiotics are considered usable while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant with precautionary monitoring for diarrhoea, thrush, rash or breathing problems. Specialist advice is appropriate for premature or unwell infants.
piperacillin + tazobactam interactions
Tell the clinical team about all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products. Important interactions include:
Vancomycin
Combined use has been associated with a higher incidence of acute kidney injury, so renal monitoring is important.
Methotrexate
Piperacillin may reduce methotrexate elimination and increase toxicity.
Heparin, oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
Effects on coagulation or platelet function may increase bleeding risk.
Common questions about piperacillin + tazobactam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can piperacillin + tazobactam be taken by mouth?
No. It is administered into a vein, usually by a healthcare professional or through a supervised outpatient intravenous-antibiotic service.
Does it treat viral infections?
No. It acts against susceptible bacteria and does not treat viruses.
Why does kidney function matter?
Both components are cleared mainly through the kidneys. Reduced clearance can increase exposure and the risk of toxicity.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.