Piperacillin/Tazobactam (Generic and Tazocin^® brands available) 

A bactericidal combination product containing:

Piperacillin

• An anti-pseudomonal penicillin.

Tazobactam

• Inhibits ß-lactamases and thus enhances and extends the spectrum of activity of piperacillin

• Usual adult dose: 4.5g IV 8 hourly. No oral preparation.

• Renally excreted therefore dosage adjustment necessary if renal impairment.

• Should be prescribed on the drug chart as "Piperacillin/Tazobactam".  NUH now use a generic preparation for 4.5g doses.

• Generic Piperacillin/Tazobactam has different compatibilities with other medicines compared to the Tazocin^® brand.

• The generic Piperacillin/Tazobactam should not be administered at the same time as aminoglycosides. Co-administration via a Y-site or simultaneously down separate lumens of central access devices is NOT recommended, nor is it acceptable to co-administer the two products via two separate lines at the same time.

• Generic Piperacillin/Tazobactam (and Tazocin^®) may be administered sequentially with aminoglycosides (one after the other) i.e. administer one then flush the venous access device well with sodium chloride 0.9% then administer the other agent.

Main indications:

• Microbiology advice – restricted agent

• Pseudomonal infections
• Haematology  guidelines
• 1st-line in late-onset ventilator associated pneumonia
• 1st line for the treatment of severe Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• 1st line antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and liver cirrhosis

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)

• Haemolytic streptococci

• Enterococcus faecalis (amoxicillin-sensitive)

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Escherichia coli

• Klebsiella spp

• Coliforms

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA

• Staphylococcus epidermidis

• Enterococcus faecium (amoxicillin-resistant)

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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