What it means
An extended-spectrum penicillin that kills many kinds of bacteria, including Pseudomonas. Many bacteria make enzymes (beta-lactamases) that destroy it, so it is given with tazobactamtaz-oh-BAK-tamA drug combined with certain antibiotics to block the bacterial enzymes that would destroy them.Full entry , which blocks those enzymes; the combination is often called "pip-tazo." It is used for serious infections such as hospital-acquired pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, complicated skin infections and sepsis.
For the nurse
Ask about penicillin allergy before the first dose and watch for allergic reactions. Report frequent watery diarrhea (possible C. difficile). Kidney function is watched, especially when it is given with vancomycin.
At a glance
| Drug class | extended-spectrum penicillin (with a beta-lactamase inhibitor) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Zosyn (with tazobactam) |
| Spanish | piperacilina |
| Also written | piperacillin-tazobactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, Zosyn |
Related terms
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
vancomycin
An antibiotic, given by IV for serious gram-positive infections or by mouth for one bowel infection.
tazobactam
A drug combined with certain antibiotics to block the bacterial enzymes that would destroy them.