Brand Name of Piperacillin-Tazobactam
The brand name of piperacillin-tazobactam is Zosyn. 1
Background Information
Piperacillin-tazobactam (commonly abbreviated as Pip-Taz) is a beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against:
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Gram-negative bacteria (including many extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers)
- Anaerobic bacteria 2
The combination consists of:
- Piperacillin: An extended-spectrum penicillin (ureidopenicillin)
- Tazobactam: A beta-lactamase inhibitor that protects piperacillin from degradation by many bacterial beta-lactamases
Formulation History
Zosyn was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1993 for the treatment of serious infections 1. The product was reformulated in 2005 to include two stabilizing functional excipients:
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA disodium)
- Sodium citrate
This reformulation addressed issues with particulate formation and expanded compatibility with:
- Lactated Ringer's solutions
- Certain aminoglycosides (amikacin and gentamicin) for Y-site administration 1
Clinical Applications
Piperacillin-tazobactam is recommended for various clinical scenarios:
- Severe intra-abdominal infections 3
- Moderate to severe diabetic foot infections 3
- Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia 3, 4
- Febrile neutropenia 4
- Skin and soft tissue infections 4, 5
- Complicated urinary tract infections 5
Administration
Piperacillin-tazobactam is typically administered intravenously:
- Traditional administration is via intravenous piggyback over 0.5 to 4.0 hours
- More recent evidence suggests intravenous push administration through peripheral lines may be safe and tolerable 6
Important Considerations
- Dosage adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment 4
- Contains sodium, which may be clinically important in patients with conditions such as congestive heart failure 4
- The combination is generally well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effects being gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly diarrhea) and skin reactions 5
In summary, Zosyn is the brand name for piperacillin-tazobactam, a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic combination for moderate to severe infections in hospitalized patients.