Overview

This Combination is an injectable antibacterial combination product consisting of the semisynthetic antibiotic piperacillin sodium and the βlactamase inhibitor tazobactam sodium for intravenous administration

Indications

• Its main uses are in intensive care medicine (pneumonia, peritonitis), some diabetes-related foot infections, and empirical therapy in febrile neutropenia (e.g., after chemotherapy).
• moderate to severe infections caused by piperacillin-resistant,
• Pneumonia
• Appendicitis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Inflammation and Infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity and Uterus
• Complicated Skin Infection
• Diabetic Foot Infection

It may also be used to treat:

• Presumed Infection in Febrile Neutropenic Patient
• Cystic Fibrosis and Infection from Pseudomonas Bacteria
• Diverticulitis
• Skin Eruption that Progresses to Ulcers and Gangrene
• Infection of Bone
• Blood or Tissue Infection Affecting Whole Body of Newborn

Rationale of Combination

Piperacillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Tazobactam is an antibiotic similar to a penicillin that fights bacteria in the body.
The combination of piperacillin and tazobactam is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, severe vaginal infections, stomach infections, skin infections, and pneumonia. Piperacillin is a broad spectrum anti-biotic and with the aid of tazobactum it is used to treat pencillin resistant microorganisms also.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins, or Β-lactamase inhibitors.

Side Effects

The most common adverse reaction is:

Diarrhea

Upset stomach/Vomiting

Headache

Insomnia

Skin irritation/Rash

Shortness of breath

Unusual bruising or bleeding

Pharmacology

Peak plasma concentrations of piperacillin and tazobactam are attained immediately after completion of an intravenous infusion. Following single or multiple doses to healthy subjects, the plasma half-life of piperacillin and of tazobactam ranged from 0.7 to 1.2 hours and was unaffected by dose or duration of infusion. Piperacillin is metabolized to a minor microbiologically active desethyl metabolite. Tazobactam is metabolized to a single metabolite that lacks pharmacological and antibacterial activities. Both piperacillin and tazobactam are eliminated via the kidney by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Piperacillin is excreted rapidly as unchanged drug with 68% of the administered dose excreted in the urine.

Interactions

Aminoglycosides: May form microbiologically inactive complexes; do not mix in the same container.
Anticoagulants/Heparin: Frequently monitor coagulation parameters.
Methotrexate: May reduce Cl of methotrexate.
Probenecid: Increases and prolongs half-life of penicillin levels.
Vecuronium: Neuromuscular blockade may be prolonged.