Piperacillin; Tazobactam injection
What is piperacillin; tazobactam injection?
PIPERACILLIN; TAZOBACTAM (Zosyn®) is a penicillin antibiotic. Piperacillin kills certain bacteria that cause infection, or stops their growth. It treats many kinds of infections including those of the skin, blood, central nervous system, respiratory tract, sinuses, and urinary tract. It also treats certain infections in women (gynecological infections). Tazobactam helps piperacillin to work better. Generic piperacillin; tazobactam is not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive piperacillin; tazobactam?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
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asthma
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bleeding problems
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eczema
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kidney disease
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liver disease
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low potassium levels in the blood
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stomach problems (especially colitis)
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an unusual or allergic reaction to piperacillin, tazobactam, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, imipenem, foods, dyes, or preservatives
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breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Piperacillin; tazobactam is for infusion into a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with piperacillin; tazobactam?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional: about all other medicines you are taking including nonprescription medicines; if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol; if you smoke; or if you use illegal drugs. These can affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking piperacillin; tazobactam?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you are diabetic and taking large doses of piperacillin; tazobactam, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
What side effects might I notice from receiving piperacillin; tazobactam?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
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difficulty breathing, wheezing
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fever or chills, sore throat
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muscle cramps
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pain, swelling, and irritation at the injection site
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red spots on the skin
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redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin including inside the mouth
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seizures (convulsions)
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severe or watery diarrhea
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swelling of face and neck
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skin rash, itching
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unusual bleeding
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unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
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abdominal pain
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agitation
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anxiety
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constipation
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diarrhea
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difficulty sleeping
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dizziness
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headache
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nausea, vomiting
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
After mixing the injection solution, use within 24 hours if kept at room temperature; within 1 week if kept in a refrigerator between 2 degrees and 8 degrees C (59 degrees and 86 degrees F). Follow the manufacturer's advice on storage of diluted solutions. Throw away any unused injection solutions.