Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Piperacillin for Injection (Fresenius Kabi Canada)
What is Piperacillin for Injection used for?
Piperacillin for Injection is used to treat infections.
Antibacterial drugs like Piperacillin for Injection treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
How does Piperacillin for Injection work?
Piperacillin for Injection is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria that other antibiotics may not treat effectively. You should start to feel better after 48 to 72 hours of receiving Piperacillin for Injection.
What are the ingredients in Piperacillin for Injection?
Medicinal ingredient: Piperacillin Sodium
Non-medicinal ingredient: None
Piperacillin for Injection comes in the following dosage forms:
2 g, 3 g and 4 g of piperacillin per vial
Do not use Piperacillin for Injection if:
- you are allergic to Piperacillin Sodium or any of the ingredients that are in Piperacillin for Injection. See “What are the ingredients in Piperacillin for Injection”, above.
- you are sensitive to certain numbing agents that may have been used in the preparation with your injection.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Piperacillin for Injection. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have sensitivity to other antibiotics like penicillins or cephalosorins
- are known to have a bleeding problem
- have cystic fibrosis
- suspect that you may have syphilis or mononucleosis (mono)
- have kidney disease
- have liver disease
Other warnings you should know about:
- Piperacillin for Injection may cause seizures, shaking or convulsions.
- Piperacillin for Injection contains sodium and patients on restricted salt intake may need blood test monitoring.
- Tell your healthcare professional if you are a nursing mother. Piperacillin for Injection is excreted in human milk.
Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Piperacillin for Injection will harm your unborn baby.
- Inflammation of the intestines (gut) has also been reported from using all antibiotics including Piperacillin for Injection.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Piperacillin for Injection:
- Other antibiotics and aminoglycosides (drugs used to treat infections such as penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, probenecid and gentamicin)
- Drugs that block the activity of the muscles (muscle relaxants such as vecuronium)
How to take Piperacillin for Injection:
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, Piperacillin for Injection should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of Piperacillin for Injection could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Piperacillin for Injection (resistance). This means that Piperacillin for Injection may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Adult Dose:
The maximum daily dose is 24 g/day.
Injection in the muscle: maximum of 2 g per injection site
Injection in the vein: slowly over a 3 to 5 minute period
Injection in the vein: 20 to 40 minutes (intermittent infusion: 30 minutes to 2 hour)
Dosages in infants and children under 12 years of age have not been established.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much Piperacillin for Injection, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
What are possible side effects from using Piperacillin for Injection?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Piperacillin for Injection. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site
- Blood clot in vein
- Fever
- Allergic reaction
- Rash, redness or itching over body or other skin conditions or skin discoloration
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Convulsions (high doses)
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|---|---|
Only if severe | In all cases | |
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
| ||
| √ | ||
Storage:
Piperacillin for Injection vials should be stored at controlled room temperature, between
15 °C and 30 °C. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Piperacillin for Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp) or by contacting the sponsor, Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd., at 1-877-821-7724.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd.
165 Galaxy Blvd, Suite 100
Toronto, ON M9W 0C8