A beta-lactamase inhibitor given with piperacillin
Tazobactam
A beta-lactamase inhibitor given together with an antibiotic such as piperacillin to overcome resistance in serious infections.
What is Tazobactam?
Tazobactam is not really an antibiotic in its own right — it has little effect against bacteria when used alone. Instead, it is given together with an antibiotic such as piperacillin (or ceftolozane) to protect that antibiotic from being broken down by bacteria. The combination, often piperacillin/tazobactam, is a hospital drip (intravenous) antibiotic used for serious infections. Because piperacillin is a penicillin-type medicine, a penicillin allergy is an important caution, and, as with broad antibiotics, there is a risk of a gut infection called C. difficile.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tazobactam — 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
Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. On its own it does very little to kill bacteria; its job is to be a partner to an antibiotic. It is combined with piperacillin (or sometimes ceftolozane) to make a single treatment, most commonly known as piperacillin/tazobactam. This combination is a powerful hospital antibiotic given into a vein for serious infections, such as severe chest, abdominal, skin or blood infections. It is started and supervised by hospital doctors, who choose it based on the type and severity of the infection.
How it works
Many bacteria defend themselves by making enzymes called beta-lactamases, which break down certain antibiotics, including penicillins, before they can work. Tazobactam blocks these enzymes, acting like a shield so that the partner antibiotic, such as piperacillin, can get through and kill the bacteria. This is why tazobactam is given with an antibiotic rather than alone: the antibiotic does the killing, and tazobactam stops the bacteria from disarming it. The result is that the combination can treat infections that would otherwise resist the antibiotic.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
Used in UK hospitals as part of a combination with piperacillin (or ceftolozane) to overcome bacterial resistance to the antibiotic.
Practical use
How to take Tazobactam
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given in hospital as a drip into a vein by healthcare staff, not taken at home by mouth.
- Tell the team about any allergy, especially to penicillin or other antibiotics, before it is started.
- Report severe or watery diarrhoea during or after treatment, as it can signal a gut infection.
- Complete the full course as directed by the hospital team, even once you feel better.
- Mention all your other medicines so the team can check for interactions.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tazobactam
Advantages
- Allows a partner antibiotic such as piperacillin to work against bacteria that would otherwise resist it.
- The combination treats a wide range of serious infections in hospital.
- A well-established option for severe infections under specialist care.
Disadvantages
- Has little antibacterial effect alone and must be given with an antibiotic.
- Given as a hospital drip rather than as a tablet at home.
- Penicillin allergy and the risk of C. difficile gut infection are important cautions.
Practical use
Good to know
The key idea is that tazobactam is a helper, not the main antibiotic: it is given with piperacillin (or ceftolozane) to overcome bacterial resistance, and it has little antibacterial effect by itself. Because the usual partner, piperacillin, is a penicillin, anyone with a penicillin allergy must make this known, as the combination may not be suitable. Like other broad-spectrum antibiotics, it can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in the gut and lead to an infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), so any severe or persistent diarrhoea during or after treatment should be reported promptly. It is given as a drip in hospital, and blood tests may be used to check things such as kidney function and blood counts during a course.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to penicillins or to this combination should not be given it.
- It is used with caution in people with significant kidney problems, where the dose is adjusted.
- It is used carefully in people at higher risk of C. difficile infection, under hospital supervision.
Monitoring
- Checking how the infection responds to treatment.
- Blood tests for kidney function, liver function and blood counts during longer courses.
- Watching for allergic reactions and for signs of C. difficile diarrhoea.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or stomach upset.
- Rash or other allergic-type reactions, which can occasionally be serious.
- Changes in blood tests, such as blood counts, kidney or liver results.
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea from C. difficile, which needs prompt medical attention.
Key interactions
- Tell the team about other antibiotics and medicines, as some combinations need care.
- It can interact with certain blood-thinning medicines, so monitoring may be needed.
- Some medicines affecting the kidneys can change how the combination is handled by the body.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution and given as a drip into a vein, combined with an antibiotic.
Answers
Tazobactam: frequently asked questions
What is tazobactam used for?
It is given together with an antibiotic such as piperacillin to overcome bacterial resistance, forming a hospital drip used for serious infections.
Does tazobactam work on its own?
No. It has little antibacterial effect by itself; its job is to protect a partner antibiotic from being broken down by bacteria.
Why does my penicillin allergy matter?
Its usual partner, piperacillin, is a penicillin, so a penicillin allergy is an important caution and the combination may not be suitable.
Is it taken as a tablet?
No. The combination is given in hospital as a drip into a vein by healthcare staff, not taken at home by mouth.
Why should I report diarrhoea?
Like other broad antibiotics, it can upset the gut and lead to a C. difficile infection, so severe or persistent diarrhoea should be reported promptly.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.