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ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE › ANTIBACTERIALS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › BETA-LACTAM ANTIBACTERIALS, PENICILLINS › Beta-lactamase inhibitors
tazobactam
J01CG02
Forms & Strengths
- Available only in fixed-dose combination with piperacillin (piperacillin/tazobactam)
- Injectable powder for reconstitution: 2.25 g, 3.375 g, 4.5 g per vial (containing tazobactam 0.25 g, 0.375 g, 0.5 g respectively)
Adult Dosing
- Standard dose: 3.375 g (piperacillin 3 g / tazobactam 0.375 g) intravenously every 6 hours
- Severe infections (Nosocomial pneumonia, Pseudomonas infections): 4.5 g (piperacillin 4 g / tazobactam 0.5 g) intravenously every 6 hours
- Renal impairment adjustment (CrCl 20-40 mL/min): 2.25 g IV q6h or 3.375 g IV q8h
- Renal impairment adjustment (CrCl <20 mL/min): 2.25 g IV q8h
Pediatric Dosing
- Pediatric patients >2 months: 80 mg/kg of piperacillin component (with 10 mg/kg tazobactam) IV every 6 hours
- Appendicitis/peritonitis in pediatric patients 2 months to 12 years: 100 mg/kg piperacillin / 12.5 mg/kg tazobactam IV every 8 hours
Indications
- Appendicitis and complicated intra-abdominal infections
- Uncomplicated and complicated skin and skin structure infections
- Postpartum endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease
- Community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia
- Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenia
Mechanism of Action
- Beta-lactamase inhibitor structurally related to penicillin
- Potent inhibitor of many plasmid- and chromosomally-mediated beta-lactamases (e.g., penicillinases, cephalosporinases)
- Protects partner drug piperacillin from degradation by susceptible bacterial beta-lactamases, thereby expanding its spectrum of activity
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to piperacillin, tazobactam, any penicillin-class beta-lactam, or beta-lactamase inhibitors
- History of severe allergic anaphylactic reactions to any beta-lactam antibacterial agents (e.g., cephalosporins, carbapenems)
Adverse Reactions
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation
- Headache, insomnia, and agitation
- Rash, pruritus, and injection site reactions
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea
- Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and severe cutaneous adverse reactions
Drug Interactions
- Probenecid prolongs the half-life of piperacillin and tazobactam by decreasing renal tubular elimination
- May prolong the neuromuscular blockade of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g., vecuronium)
- Can reduce the serum concentration of therapeutic-range aminoglycosides when administered concurrently
- May reduce excretion of methotrexate, increasing the risk of methotrexate toxicity
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use