A broad-spectrum penicillin (with tazobactam)
Piperacillin
A broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic, combined with tazobactam and given by drip in hospital for serious infections.
What is Piperacillin?
Piperacillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic, almost always combined with tazobactam and given by drip (IV) in hospital. It is used for serious infections such as severe chest, abdominal and blood infections. People with a penicillin allergy must not have it, and it needs monitoring of blood counts, electrolytes and kidney function.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Piperacillin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Piperacillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic, given by drip in hospital and almost always combined with tazobactam, which protects it from bacteria that would otherwise break it down. The combination, often known as Tazocin, is used for serious and mixed infections, including severe chest, abdominal, skin and blood infections.
How it works
Piperacillin stops bacteria building their protective cell walls, so the bacteria burst and die. Some bacteria defend themselves by producing enzymes (beta-lactamases) that destroy penicillins; tazobactam blocks these enzymes, allowing piperacillin to keep working against a wider range of bacteria. Together they cover many of the organisms involved in serious hospital infections.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Tazocin (piperacillin with tazobactam) was developed by Wyeth, now part of Pfizer; available as a generic medicine..
Piperacillin was developed in the late 1970s, and the combination with tazobactam was introduced to extend its activity against resistant bacteria.
Practical use
How to take Piperacillin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by a slow drip into a vein by a healthcare professional.
- It is given by a clinical team, who manage the timing and dosing for you.
- Tell the team about any penicillin or other antibiotic allergy before it is given.
- Report any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty straight away.
- Report any severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea promptly.
- Complete the full course even once you start to feel better.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Piperacillin
Advantages
- Covers a very broad range of bacteria, useful for serious or mixed infections.
- The tazobactam component restores activity against many resistant bacteria.
- Well-established hospital antibiotic and available as a generic medicine.
Disadvantages
- Given only by drip, so it requires a hospital setting and a team.
- Cannot be used by anyone with a penicillin allergy.
- Can disturb gut bacteria and trigger C. difficile, and may affect blood counts and salts.
Practical use
Good to know
Piperacillin with tazobactam is given by a hospital team through a drip, so dosing is managed for you. It is a penicillin, so it must not be given to anyone with a penicillin allergy. Like other broad antibiotics it can disturb gut bacteria and trigger C. difficile, so report any severe diarrhoea. During treatment, blood counts, salts (electrolytes) and kidney function are usually checked.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a penicillin allergy or a serious allergy to other beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Use is adjusted carefully in significant kidney problems by the treating team.
- People with certain blood-count or electrolyte problems are monitored more closely.
Monitoring
- Whether the infection is responding to treatment.
- Full blood count, kidney function and salts (electrolytes) during longer courses.
- Any sign of allergic reaction or C. difficile diarrhoea.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, feeling sick or stomach upset.
- Rash or other allergic reactions.
- Changes in blood counts, such as a fall in white cells or platelets.
- C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (uncommon but important).
Key interactions
- Methotrexate, whose levels and toxicity can be increased.
- Some blood-thinning medicines, which may need closer monitoring.
- Other medicines that can affect the kidneys or potassium levels.
Available as: Available as a powder made up into an infusion (drip).
Answers
Piperacillin: frequently asked questions
What is tazobactam for?
Tazobactam blocks enzymes that some bacteria use to destroy penicillins. Adding it to piperacillin lets the antibiotic keep working against a wider range of resistant bacteria.
Can I have it if I am allergic to penicillin?
No. Piperacillin is a penicillin, so it must not be given to anyone with a penicillin allergy. Always tell the team about any antibiotic allergy before treatment.
How is it given?
It is given by a slow drip into a vein by a hospital team. It is not available as tablets and is used for serious infections.
Why do I need blood tests during treatment?
Longer courses can affect blood counts, kidney function and salts (electrolytes), so these are checked to keep treatment safe, especially in serious illness.
What should I report straight away?
Tell the team about any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty, or any severe or watery diarrhoea, as these need prompt assessment.
The wider class
About Penicillins
Piperacillin belongs to the penicillins class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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