What antibiotic can be used in patients with an allergy to Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) and Piperacillin-Tazobactam (piperacillin-tazobactam)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 27, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Si tiene alergia a Augmentin y piperacillin-tazobactam, se sugiere considerar aztreonam como una opción de antibiótico alternativo, siempre y cuando no haya historia de alergia a ceftazidime 1. Esto se debe a que aztreonam es menos inmunogénico y rara vez causa reacciones de hipersensibilidad. Además, no hay cross-reactividad entre penicilina y aztreonam, ni entre cefalosporinas y aztreonam, excepto para ceftazidime.

Algunas consideraciones importantes al elegir un antibiótico alternativo incluyen:

  • El tipo de infección que se está tratando
  • La gravedad de la infección
  • El perfil de alergia del paciente
  • La posibilidad de realizar pruebas de alergia para determinar la naturaleza de las reacciones

Es importante destacar que, según las guías de práctica clínica, aztreonam se puede administrar sin pruebas previas en pacientes con historia de alergia a penicilina o cefalosporina, siempre y cuando no haya historia de alergia a ceftazidime 1. Sin embargo, es fundamental considerar la efectividad y la seguridad de aztreonam en relación con otros antibióticos, como cefepime o piperacillin-tazobactam, que pueden ser más efectivos contra ciertos patógenos 1.

En resumen, aztreonam es una opción viable para pacientes con alergia a Augmentin y piperacillin-tazobactam, siempre y cuando se considere la historia de alergia a ceftazidime y se evalúen las opciones de tratamiento de acuerdo con la gravedad y el tipo de infección.

From the FDA Drug Label

Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. For patients allergic to Augmentin (which contains amoxicillin, a type of penicillin) and Pip-Taz (which contains piperacillin, another type of penicillin), clindamycin 2 can be considered as an alternative antibiotic.

  • Clindamycin is effective against a range of bacteria, including anaerobes, streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci.
  • Another option is levofloxacin 3, which is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. It is essential to note that the choice of antibiotic should be based on the specific infection being treated and the susceptibility of the causative organism to the antibiotic.

From the Research

Alternatives to Augmentin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam

  • For patients allergic to Augmentin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam, alternative antibiotics can be considered based on the type of infection and the causative organism.
  • According to a study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections 4, combinations of beta-lactam antibiotics with aminoglycosides or fluoroquinolones can be effective.
  • The study compared the synergistic activities of piperacillin/tazobactam and cefepime when combined with gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, or levofloxacin against P. aeruginosa.
  • The results showed that all combinations were bactericidal, but the degree of synergy between a beta-lactam plus aminoglycoside and a beta-lactam plus fluoroquinolone were comparable 4.

Possible Antibiotic Options

  • Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, can be considered as an alternative to Piperacillin/Tazobactam 4.
  • Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside, can be used in combination with a beta-lactam antibiotic for severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections 4.
  • Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, fluoroquinolones, can be used as an alternative to aminoglycosides in this setting 4.

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.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.