Can I use Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Pip-Taz) if I have an allergy to Augmentin (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)?

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Last updated: April 27, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Si tienes una alergia a Augmentin (amoxicilina-clavulanato), no debes tomar Piperacillin-Tazobactam (también llamado Pipercil/Tazobactam o Zosyn) sin consultar primero a un proveedor de atención médica. Estos medicamentos pertenecen a clases de antibióticos relacionados, y es posible la reactividad cruzada. Augmentin contiene un antibiótico del tipo penicilina, y Piperacillin-Tazobactam también es un derivado de la penicilina, lo que significa que existe un riesgo significativo de que si eres alérgico a uno, puedas reaccionar al otro. La gravedad de tu reacción alérgica previa a Augmentin es importante: si experimentaste anafilaxia u otras reacciones graves, el riesgo con Piperacillin-Tazobactam sería particularmente alto. Tu médico necesita evaluar tu historial de alergia específico, la naturaleza de tu infección y las opciones de tratamiento alternativas. En algunos casos, podrían recomendar pruebas cutáneas o procedimientos de desensibilización si Piperacillin-Tazobactam es verdaderamente la única opción efectiva para tu infección 1.

Algunos puntos clave a considerar:

  • La reactividad cruzada entre penicilinas y cefalosporinas es posible, especialmente si las moléculas tienen cadenas laterales similares 1.
  • Piperacillin-Tazobactam es una penicilina, por lo que la reactividad cruzada con Augmentin es posible 1.
  • La gravedad de la reacción alérgica previa es importante para determinar el riesgo de reactividad cruzada 1.
  • Es importante evaluar el historial de alergia específico y la naturaleza de la infección para determinar la mejor opción de tratamiento 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Piperacillin and tazobactam for injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins, or beta-lactamase inhibitors.

No, si tienes alergia a Augmentin, no debes usar Piperacillin/Tazobactam (también conocido como Pipertazo) debido a la posibilidad de reacciones alérgicas cruzadas entre penicilinas y otros betalactámicos 2.

From the Research

Allergy to Augmentin and Use of Piperacillin-Tazobactam

  • If a patient is allergic to Augmentin, it is essential to assess the severity and type of allergy before considering alternative antibiotics like Piperacillin-Tazobactam 3.
  • Studies have shown that many reported penicillin allergies are not clinically significant, and evaluation of penicillin allergy is crucial for antimicrobial stewardship 3.
  • Piperacillin-Tazobactam is a broad-spectrum penicillin, and hypersensitivity reactions to this antibiotic are less common than with other penicillins, except in patients with cystic fibrosis 4.
  • The cross-reactivity between penicillin and cephalosporin drugs, including Piperacillin-Tazobactam, is relatively low, occurring in about 2% of cases 3.

Piperacillin-Tazobactam as an Alternative

  • Piperacillin-Tazobactam can be considered as an alternative for patients allergic to Augmentin, but it is crucial to evaluate the patient's allergy history and perform diagnostic tests, such as skin prick and intradermal testing, to confirm the absence of hypersensitivity to Piperacillin-Tazobactam 4, 5.
  • In some cases, patients may be allergic to the beta-lactamase inhibitor (tazobactam) rather than the penicillin component (piperacillin) 4.
  • The use of Piperacillin-Tazobactam should be guided by local susceptibility patterns and the patient's specific infection, as well as consideration of potential resistance mechanisms 6, 7.

Treatment Options

  • For urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, Piperacillin-Tazobactam is a potential treatment option, especially for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriales 7.
  • However, the choice of antibiotic should be based on the specific uropathogen, local susceptibility patterns, and the patient's medical history, including any known allergies 7.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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