Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Piperacillin / Tazobactam Powder for Injection
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Notify your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin, cephalosporins or other allergens. If you have an allergic reaction during therapy with PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION stop taking the drug and seek immediate medical attention.
What is PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION used for?
PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION is used by doctors to treat bacterial infections:
- of the appendix and lining of the abdomen (peritoneum)
- of the skin
- of the female reproductive system
- of the lungs and lower airways that are community- or hospital-acquired
Antibacterial drugs like PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Although you may feel better early in treatment, PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION (resistance). This means that PIPERACILLIN SODIUM/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION may not work for you in the future.
How does PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION work?
This product is an injectable antibiotic that contains piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium. Both ingredients work together to kill the bacteria and reduce the infection.
What are the ingredients in PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION?
Medicinal ingredients: Piperacillin Sodium and Tazobactam Sodium.
Non-medicinal ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate.
PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION comes in the following dosage forms:
Lyophilized powder for injection available as:
- 2.25 g (2 g piperacillin as piperacillin sodium / 0.25 g tazobactam as tazobactam sodium)
- 3.375 g (3 g piperacillin as piperacillin sodium / 0.375 g tazobactam as tazobactam sodium)
- 4.5 g (4 g piperacillin as piperacillin sodium / 0.5 g tazobactam as tazobactam sodium)
Do not use PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in the drug
- you are allergic to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins or beta-lactamase inhibitors
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- are allergic to PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION, penicillin, cephalosporins or beta-lactamase inhibitors
- have cystic fibrosis
- have a history of diarrhea or bowel problems due to an antibiotic
- have kidney, liver or gallbladder problems
- have bleeding problems
are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Piperacillin is excreted at low levels in human milk
- are over 65 years and have kidney, liver or heart problems
- are on a low sodium diet. This product contains sodium
- have low blood potassium levels
- are receiving cytotoxic therapy or methotrexate (for the treatment of cancer)
- are taking diuretics (drugs that increase urine production)
are taking blood thinners (e.g. heparin) or any medicines that may affect blood clot
- are being treated for gonorrhea
Other warnings you should know about:
Stop taking this product and contact your doctor right away if the following occurs:
- severe or lasting diarrhea (watery or bloody) with or without fever, stomach pain, or tenderness.
You may have Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation)
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/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION:
- Aminoglycosides (a type of antibiotic, e.g., tobramycin)
- Probenecid (a drug used to treat gout)
- Drugs used to thin blood (e.g., Heparin)
- Vecuronium (a muscle relaxant)
- Methotrexate (a drug used to treat cancer)
How to take PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION:
PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION will be given to you intravenously by your doctor.
Usual dose:
Your doctor will give you the most appropriate dose based on the severity and type of your bacterial infection. If you have kidney problems or are taking medications that may interact with PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION, your doctor will adjust the dose.
The usual dose of PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION for adults is 3 g / 0.375 g, given every six hours, for a total dose of 12 g / 1.5 g per day.
For intra-abdominal infections, the dose of PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION for adults is 4 g / 0.5 g, given every eight hours, for a total dose of 12 g / 1.5 g per day.
For hospital-acquired pneumonia, the dose of PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION for adults is 4 g / 0.5 g, plus an aminoglycoside (type of antibiotic) every six hours, for a total dose of 16 g / 2 g per day.
Overdose:
Symptoms of overdose include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- neuromuscular excitability (increased sensitivity of muscles and nerves)
- convulsions (involuntary contractions of the muscles)
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
Talk to your doctor if you suspect a missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR
INJECTION?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- nausea or indigestion
- vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- rash, itchy or red skin
- allergic reaction such as hives
- a new infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION (superinfection)
- difficulty sleeping
- headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
- anxiety, sweating, agitation
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- abdominal pain or swelling
- fever
- pain
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact 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 | ||||||
| COMMON | |||||||
| Chest pain | √ | ||||||
| Diarrhea | √ | ||||||
| LESS COMMON | |||||||
| Confusion | √ | ||||||
| Convulsions | √ | ||||||
| Hallucinations | √ | ||||||
| Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) | √ | ||||||
| RARE | |||||||
Allergic reactions such as: Chest tightness, dizziness, faintness, hives, itching, shortness of breath, severe skin rash, peeling or blistering skin, swollen face, lips, mouth or tongue, troubled breathing, wheezing | √ | ||||||
Haemophagocytic: lymphohistiocytosis (condition where your white blood cells attack your organs and other blood cells): fever, enlarged liver and spleen, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes, yellowing of your skin and eyes, breathing problems, stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea, headache, trouble walking, feeling weak and bruising easily. This can be serious and lead to death. | √ | ||||||
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):
| √ | ||||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
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. |
|---|
Storage:
PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER FOR INJECTION vials should be stored at controlled room temperature 15-30oC (59-86oF). Single Dose Vials. Discard unused portions.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM POWDER 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://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website http://www.tevacanada.com; or by calling 1-800-268-4127 ext. 3; or email druginfo@tevacanada.com.
Toronto, Ontario M1B 2K9