Piperacillin+tazobactam
About Piperacillin+tazobactam
Piperacillin+tazobactam belongs to the 'Antibiotics' class of drugs, primarily used to treat bacterial infections. It is used to treat various hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, skin and soft tissue infections (like diabetic foot infections) and uterine infections. Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly.
Piperacillin+tazobactam contains two medicines, namely: Piperacillin (Penicillin antibiotic) and Tazobactam (beta-lactamase inhibitor). Piperacillin belongs to the class of 'Penicillin antibiotics.' It has bactericidal (ability to kill bacteria) activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic (requires oxygen to survive) and anaerobic (survives with little or no oxygen) bacteria. Piperacillin acts by binding to the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) inside the bacterial cell wall and inhibits its cell wall synthesis. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Beta-lactamases are the enzymes produced by bacteria to gain multi-resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins. Tazobactam prevents the breakdown of other antibiotics by beta-lactamase enzyme-producing organisms. In Piperacillin+tazobactam, Tazobactam works by preventing bacteria from destroying Piperacillin.
Piperacillin+tazobactam will be administered by a healthcare professional. Like all medicines, Piperacillin+tazobactam also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of Piperacillin+tazobactam include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, and trouble sleeping. If any of these effects persist or worsen, seek medical advice promptly.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any allergic reactions to antibiotics. Please inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney diseases, bleeding disorders, and fits before using Piperacillin+tazobactam. Do not use Piperacillin+tazobactam while having vaccinations with live bacterial vaccines (typhoid vaccine) since Piperacillin+tazobactam may affect vaccines' activity. Piperacillin+tazobactam should be used during pregnancy only if the doctor advises you. It is also excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Hence, it is recommended to consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Piperacillin+tazobactam.
Uses of Piperacillin+tazobactam
Medicinal Benefits
Piperacillin+tazobactam contains two medicines, namely: Piperacillin and Tazobactam. Piperacillin is a Penicillin antibiotic. It acts by binding to the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) inside the bacterial cell wall and inhibits its cell wall synthesis. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of other antibiotics by beta-lactamase enzyme-producing organisms. In Piperacillin+tazobactam, Tazobactam works by preventing bacteria from destroying Piperacillin. Thus, Piperacillin+tazobactam helps treat various bacterial infections of the stomach, lungs, skin and uterus.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Piperacillin+tazobactam
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria occur in three basic shapes: spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall). Some common symptoms of a bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia/ nosocomial pneumonia: It is a lower respiratory infection of the lungs that occurs during a hospital stay.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia: A lung infection occurs in people who are on mechanical ventilation breathing machines in hospitals.
FAQs
Piperacillin+tazobactam contains Piperacillin and Tazobactam. Piperacillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, and Tazobactam prevents the bacteria from gaining resistance against Piperacillin. Thus Piperacillin+tazobactam helps in treating various bacterial infections.
Piperacillin+tazobactam should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any cystic fibrosis (damaged lungs and digestive system), kidney disease, fits, colitis (inflammation of the colon), bleeding disorders, heart or liver diseases and undergoing dialysis.
Piperacillin+tazobactam can affect live vaccines like typhoid vaccine and decrease their effectiveness. Please consult a doctor before you start Piperacillin+tazobactam if you are undergoing any vaccinations.
It is recommended to complete the course of Piperacillin+tazobactam even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic, and stopping it midway may lead to recurring infections. Continue taking Piperacillin+tazobactam for as long as your doctor has prescribed to treat your condition effectually.
