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Piperacillin/tazobactam, sold under the brand name Tazocin among others, is a combination medication containing the antibiotic piperacillin and the β-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam. Its mechanism usually results in bacterial death through blocking their ability to make a cell wall. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication.
Medical uses
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). The drug is administered intravenously every 6 or 8 hr, typically over 3–30 min. It may also be administered by continuous infusion over four hours. Prolonged infusions are thought to maximize the time that serum concentrations are above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bacteria implicated in infection.
Piperacillin-tazobactam is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as first-line therapy for the treatment of bloodstream infections in neutropenic cancer patients.
For β-lactam antipseudomonal antibiotics, including piperacillin/tazobactam, prolonged intravenous infusion is associated with lower mortality than bolus intravenous infusion in persons with sepsis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Piperacillin/tazobactam may be used for low to mid-severity infections with gram-negative rod bacteria that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). It is not suitable for any life-threatening infection with ESBL-producing organisms.
Route of administration
Piperacillin with tazobactam is administered through an intravenous (IV) method, where it is infused into the bloodstream over a period of 30 minutes to 4 hours so that the medication is delivered slowly and steadily. The minimal duration of the infusion of 30 minutes is set for both adults and pediatric patients.
Adverse effects
The most common adverse effect is diarrhea (7–11%). Another adverse effect is inhibition of platelets which is also known as thrombocytopenia.
Contraindications
Piperacillin/tazobactam is contraindicated when a patient has hypersensitivity to penicillins, cephalosporins, beta-lactamase inhibitors or any component of the formulation.
Society and culture
Brand names
The combination is marketed in various countries under brand names including Tazam, Tazocin, Zosyn, Tazovex, Tazact, Biopiper TZ, Brodactam, Piptaz, Maxitaz, Kilbac, Trezora, Du-Tazop, Tazopen, Sytaz, Tazin, and Inzalin TZ.
2017 shortage
Various sources have referred to a shortage of the drug since May 2017, citing various reasons, including an earthquake in China and other issues at the major production facility in 海正 (Hisun); increased demand; withdrawal of funding by a major pharmaceutical company.