What is piperacillin and tazobactam?
Piperacillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Piperacillin fights
bacteria in the body.
Tazobactam is in a similar group of antibiotic drugs and also 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 and tazobactam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking piperacillin and tazobactam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to piperacillin and tazobactam or to any
other penicillin antibiotic, such as:
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amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin);
-
ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
-
carbenicillin (Geocillin);
-
dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
-
oxacillin (Bactocill);
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ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin); or
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penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K,
Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).
Before using piperacillin and tazobactam, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and
others), or if you have:
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
-
an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium in
your blood;
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cystic fibrosis;
-
a history of any type of allergy; or
-
if you are on a salt-restricted diet.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use piperacillin and tazobactam.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Piperacillin and tazobactam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take piperacillin and tazobactam?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions
on your prescription label.
Piperacillin and tazobactam is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein.
Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown
how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully
understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items
used in giving the medicine.
Piperacillin and tazobactam must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it.
Shake the medication and diluent until well dissolved.
Do not mix the medicine or draw your dose into a syringe or IV bag until you are
ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any
particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Piperacillin and tazobactam is usually given for 7 to 10 days, depending on the infection
being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this
container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Piperacillin and tazobactam
will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using piperacillin and tazobactam.
Store unmixed piperacillin and tazobactam, and the liquid diluent, at cool room
temperature. After mixing the medicine and diluent, you may store it at room temperature for up
to 12 hours. Throw away any unused mixture that has not been used within that time.
Mixed medication can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Throw
away any unused mixture that has not been used within that time.
What happens if I miss a dose of piperacillin and tazobactam?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about piperacillin and tazobactam?
Your pharmacist has information about piperacillin and tazobactam written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of piperacillin and tazobactam?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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dry mouth, increased thirst, confusion, increased urination,
muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
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seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset;
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constipation;
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headache;
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anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
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skin rash or itching;
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pain, swelling, or other irritation where the injection was
given; or
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vaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about piperacillin and tazobactam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to piperacillin and tazobactam or to any
other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen,
Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill),
ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K,
Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using piperacillin and tazobactam tell your doctor if you are allergic to
cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have kidney disease,
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, low levels of potassium in your blood, a history of any type
of allergy, or if you are on a salt-restricted diet.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
What should I avoid while taking piperacillin and tazobactam?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect piperacillin and tazobactam?
Before using piperacillin and tazobactam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
probenecid (Benemid);
-
an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin
(Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin
(Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
any other medication used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine),
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with piperacillin and tazobactam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of piperacillin and tazobactam?
