Products
Piperacillin is commercially available as an injectable (tazobac + tazobactam, generics). It has been approved in many countries since 1992.
Structure and properties
Piperacillin (C23H27N5O7S, Mr = 517.6 g/mol) is present in drugs as piperacillin sodium, a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water. Tazobactam (C10H12N4O5S, Mr = 300.3 g/mol) also exists as a sodium salt.
Effects
Piperacillin (ATC J01CR05) has bactericidal properties. Effects are due to inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor and prevents resistance to the antibiotic.
Indications
For treatment of bacterial infectious diseases with susceptible pathogens.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. Piperacillin is administered as an intravenous infusion or injection.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Interactions
Drug-drug interactions have been described with antithrombotics, probenecid, tobramycin, vecuronium, and methotrexate. The interactions are due, in part, to the fact that piperacillin is secreted tubularly at the kidney and is in competition with other organic anions.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include diarrhea, headache, constipation, nausea, sleep disturbances, rash, vomiting, dyspepsia, pruritus, fever, agitation, oral thrush, hypertension, dizziness, abdominal pain, chest pain, edema, anxiety, rhinitis, and respiratory disorders.
