What is the most important information I should know about piperacillin and tazobactam?
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics (especially a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic).
What is piperacillin and tazobactam?
Piperacillin and tazobactam is a combination penicillin antibiotic that is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as stomach infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and severe vaginal infections.
This medication is sometimes given together with other antibiotics.
Piperacillin and tazobactam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using piperacillin and tazobactam?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to:
- piperacillin or any other penicillin antibiotic (amoxicillin, ampicillin, Augmentin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, ticarcillin, or others);
- tazobactam; or
- a cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), or others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- 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;
- any type of allergy; or
- if you are on a low-salt diet.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I use piperacillin and tazobactam?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Piperacillin and tazobactam is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.
Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Piperacillin and tazobactam will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
You may need frequent blood tests.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using piperacillin and tazobactam.
Medicine mixed in a syringe can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Mixed medication in an IV bag can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused mixture that has not been used within these times.
Medicine mixed in an IV bag must be used within 24 hours if you keep it at room temperature.
Mixed medicine in an infusion pump must be used within 12 hours if you keep it at room temperature.
If your medicine is frozen when you receive it, store the medicine container in a freezer until you are ready to prepare your dose.
You may thaw frozen medicine either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine under hot water or in a microwave.
Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using 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 bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.
What are the possible side effects of piperacillin and tazobactam?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
- a seizure (convulsions);
-
low white blood cell counts --fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or
-
low potassium level --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.
Common side effects may include:
- diarrhea, constipation;
- nausea;
- headache; or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect piperacillin and tazobactam?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Other drugs may affect piperacillin and tazobactam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about piperacillin and tazobactam.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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