Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection is used for the treatment of bacterial infections.
What it does:
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection is an antibiotic which helps stop the spread of infection by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
When it should not be used:
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection should not be used by patients who are allergic to:
- any ingredient in the drug;
- penicillin antibiotics (i.e., amoxicillin);
- cephalosporins antibiotics (i.e., cephalexin);
- ß-lactamase inhibitors (i.e., clavulanic acid).
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Piperacillin and tazobactam.
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
There are no nonmedicinal ingredients.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection is available as 2.25 g, 3.375 g, and 4.5 g of powder in glass vials. The powder is mixed with sterile liquid to give a solution for injection by your doctor.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions may occur in
people who are allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens.
If an allergic reaction occurs during therapy with
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection, the medication should be stopped and immediate medical attention should be sought.
BEFORE you use Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
$ you are allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other
allergens;
$ you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding;
$ you have cystic fibrosis, bowel inflammation, bleeding problems, or kidney problems;
$ you are on dialysis, or if you have a history of severe diarrhea or bowel problems due to an antibiotic; $ you are on a salt-restricted diet or have low blood potassium levels.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Drugs that may interact with Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection include:
- aminoglycosides (a type of antibiotic; i.e., tobramycin),
- probenecid (a drug used to treat gout),
- drugs used to thin blood (i.e., heparin),
- vecuronium (a muscle relaxant), and
- methotrexate (a drug used to treat cancer).
Lactated Ringer’s solution is not compatible with Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection.
When piperacillin/tazobactam is administered concurrently with another antibiotic, the drugs should not be mixed in the same solution and must be administered separately.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
The usual total daily dose of Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection for adults is 3.375 g, administered by intravenous infusion, every six hours, for a total dose of 13.5 g per day.
For nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia), the daily dose of piperacillin/tazobactam for adults is 4.5 g plus an aminoglycoside (type of antibiotic) every six hours, for a total of 18.0 g per day.
If you have kidney problems, the doctor will adjust the dose to suit you.
Overdose:
Symptoms of overdose include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, neuromuscular excitability, and convulsions.
In the event of overdose, patients should receive medical attention immediately.
Missed Dose:
In order to get the best results from your treatment with Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection you should take it on a regular basis. If you miss one of your Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection doses, ask your doctor for further instructions. Do not take a double dose of this drug without your physician’s consent.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
The most common side effects in patients treated with Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection include: allergic reactions, diarrhea, headache, constipation, nausea, insomnia, rash, vomiting, heartburn, itching, stool changes, fever, agitation, pain, fungal infection, high blood pressure, dizziness, abdominal pain, chest pain, swelling, anxiety, rhinitis, and difficulty breathing.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom/effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Common | Severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools | T | ||
| Chest Pain | T | |||
| Difficulty breathing | T | |||
| Uncommon | Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) | T | ||
| Seizures | T | |||
Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat | T | |||
| Yellowing of the eyes or skin | T | |||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Injection vials should be stored at controlled room temperature between 15 and 30°C.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program collects information on serious and unexpected side effects of drugs. If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance:
by toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345 by toll-free fax: 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect by email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
CanadaVigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Division
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be found at:
Pharma Strides Canada Corp.
1205 Rue Ampere, Bureau 206
Boucherville, QC J4B 7M6