The U.S. FDA approved Piperacillin + Tazobactam on September 30, 2005. Piperacillin + Tazobactam which belongs to the medication class known as broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotics and beta-lactamase inhibitors.  Piperacillin with Tazobactam is used to kill many types of harmful bacteria in our body.

Piperacillin with Tazobactam is used to kill many types of harmful bacteria in our body. When Piperacillin is given together with  Tazobactam, it works more effectively against certain resistant bacteria. This medicine is used to treat bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, abdomen, skin, or blood in adults and adolescents. 

Piperacillin + Tazobactam also treats bacterial infections in children aged 2-12 years, particularly abdomen infections like appendicitis, peritonitis, and gallbladder infections. Additionally, it is used in patients with low white blood cell counts. It can also be helpful for people with weaker immune systems. In some serious infections, doctors may use it along with other antibiotics to fight the germs effectively. 

Piperacillin + Tazobactam will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Do not self-administer. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Piperacillin + Tazobactam are constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache, abnormal kidney test results, fever, insomnia, low potassium levels in the blood, and bronchospasm. Serious side effects while taking Piperacillin + Tazobactam are severe anaphylactic reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrosis, progressive rashes, bleeding, anemia, and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Do not use Piperacillin + Tazobactam if you are allergic to Piperacillin, Tazobactam,  penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactamase inhibitors, or any of its ingredients. Before taking the medicine, notify your doctor if you have low potassium levels in your blood, liver, or kidney issues and undergoing hemodialysis requires monitoring. Your doctor may conduct regular blood tests during treatment. If you are taking anticoagulants or experience unexpected bleeding, inform your healthcare professional immediately. Notify your healthcare professional if you have convulsions or suspect a new or worsening infection during treatment.

Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a condition involving excessive white blood cell production, and contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, swollen glands, weakness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, bruising, or skin rash. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. This medicine should not be used in children under the age of 2 years because there is not enough data available to determine its safety and effectiveness in this age group.

Notify your doctor if you experience diarrhea during or after taking Piperacillin + Tazobactam, notify your healthcare professional immediately, and avoid taking any medication for it without consulting your doctor. Notify your doctor if you have a history of any disease. Notify your doctor if you are allergic to sodium, as this medicine contains sodium. Patients with kidney disorders should use this injection cautiously.

Do not stop the medicine until your doctor advises. Do not breastfeed while taking Piperacillin + Tazobactam unless the doctor advises. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Contact your doctor for more information.

1. Wockhardt UK Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on March 2023] [Accessed on 31st July 2023], 103276-8.pdf (medicines.org.uk)
2. Pfizer, US Food & Drug Administration, [Revised on May 2017] [Accessed on 31st July 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/050684s88s89s90_050750s37s38s39lbl.pdf
3. Camille E. Beauduy, Lisa G. Winston, Beta-Lactam & Other Cell Wall- & Membrane-Active Antibiotics, Lange’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 795-814.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.