Zosyn Abbreviation and Brand Name
Zosyn is the brand name (not an abbreviation) for the combination antibiotic piperacillin/tazobactam, marketed as Tazocin in some international markets. 1
Understanding the Nomenclature
Zosyn is the proprietary brand name used in the United States for the fixed-dose combination of piperacillin (a broad-spectrum ureidopenicillin) and tazobactam (a beta-lactamase inhibitor) 1, 2
Tazocin is the alternative brand name used in European and other international markets for the identical piperacillin/tazobactam formulation 1, 3
The generic name is piperacillin/tazobactam, typically formulated in an 8:1 dose ratio (e.g., 4g piperacillin with 0.5g tazobactam) 4, 2
Clinical Significance of the Combination
Tazobactam functions as a beta-lactamase inhibitor that restores piperacillin's activity against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, including Richmond and Sykes types II, III, IV, and V beta-lactamases, staphylococcal penicillinase, and some extended-spectrum beta-lactamases 2
The combination provides broad-spectrum coverage against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, making it suitable for polymicrobial infections 5
Zosyn/Tazocin is recommended in multiple international guidelines for moderate-to-severe infections including intra-abdominal infections, febrile neutropenia, and healthcare-associated infections 6
Common Clinical Usage Context
The drug is frequently abbreviated in clinical practice as "pip/tazo" or "PTZ" in medical documentation, though these are informal abbreviations rather than official designations 7
Zosyn was approved by the US FDA in 1993 and underwent reformulation in 2005 to improve stability and expand compatibility with other medications 1