What is Piperacillin 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 is the most important information I should know about Piperacillin 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 discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Piperacillin 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); or
• 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
• 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.

Piperacillin Tazobactam Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Piperacillin 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:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• dry mouth, increased thirst, confusion, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• seizure (convulsions)

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset
• constipation
• headache
• anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia)
• skin rash or itching
• pain, swelling, or other irritation where the injection was given; or
• 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.

Piperacillin Tazobactam Interactions

What other drugs affect Piperacillin 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 should I avoid while taking Piperacillin 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.

Piperacillin Tazobactam Dosage

How should I take Piperacillin 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 overdose on Piperacillin Tazobactam?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe anxiety, agitation, feeling restless or nervous, or seizure (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Piperacillin 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.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com