Tazocin* 2g/0.25g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion
Tazocin* 4g/0.5g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion
Piperacillin/Tazobactam
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Tazocin is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you use Tazocin
- 3. How to use Tazocin
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Tazocin
- 6. Further information
What Tazocin Is And What It Is Used For
The active ingredients in Tazocin are piperacillin and tazobactam. Piperacillin belongs to the group of medicines known as ‘broad spectrum penicillin antibiotics’. It can kill many kinds of bacteria. Tazobactam can prevent some bacteria becoming resistant to the effects of piperacillin. This means that some bacteria, which are normally not killed by piperacillin are killed when piperacillin and tazobactam are given together.
Tazocin is used to treat bacterial infections such as those affecting your chest, urinary tract, blood, abdomen or skin.
Tazocin may also be used with medicines known as ‘aminoglycosides’ to treat infections in patients who are unable to fight infections normally.
Before You Use Tazocin
You should tell your doctor if any of the following circumstances should apply, as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
- If you are allergic to Tazocin, or you have had allergic reactions to antibiotics known as penicillins or cephalosporins, or to medicines called beta-lactamase inhibitors (ask your doctor if you are not sure).
- If you have a history of allergies (hypersensitivity).
- If the patient is aged 12 years or under (not all infections in children may be treated with Tazocin).
- If you have kidney or liver problems, or if you receive haemodialysis treatment. Your doctor may check how well your kidneys are working before he gives you this medicine and you may have regular checks whilst taking your medicine.
- If you are on a low sodium diet. Tazocin 2g/0.25g contains 128mg of sodium per vial. Tazocin 4g/0.5g contains 256mg of sodium per vial.
- If you are going to have a general anaesthetic.
- If you are being treated for gonorrhoea, you should be tested for syphilis before taking Tazocin.
- If you have low levels of potassium in your blood, your doctor might take a blood sample from time to time for testing.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those you have bought without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- probenecid (for gout)
- medicines to thin your blood or to treat blood clots (e.g. heparin, warfarin or aspirin)
- a drug called methotrexate (for cancer, arthritis or psoriasis)
- Diuretics or ‘water tablets’ (for heart problems or high blood pressure) or drugs for cancer. Your doctor might take a blood sample from time to time for testing.
- Non-polarising muscle relaxants (e.g. cisatracurium, vecuronium)
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breast -feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
How To Use Tazocin
Your doctor will give Tazocin to you by slow injection or through a drip into one of your veins.
The usual adult dose of Tazocin is 4g/0.5g given every 8 hours. However, your doctor will decide on the exact dose depending on the severity of your infection. Children aged 2-12 years may receive a lower dose for infections in or around the abdomen (the usual dose for children is 112.5mg per kg of body weight every 8 hours, up to the adult dose).
If your body cannot fight infections well, Tazocin may be used in combination with another drug, called an ‘aminoglycoside’, which will also be given into one of your veins. In this case, the usual dose of Tazocin is 4g/0.5g every 6 hours. However, your doctor may give a lower dose to children aged 12 years and under (the usual dose for children given Tazocin in combination with an aminoglycoside is 90mg per kg of body weight every 6 hours, up to the adult dose).
If you are given Tazocin in combination with an ‘aminoglycoside’, the two drugs may be given to you in the same drip under certain circumstances.
You will be given Tazocin until the signs of infection have disappeared and then treatment will usually be continued for a further 48 hours to make sure the infection has gone completely.
If you have kidney or liver problems, your doctor may need to adjust the dose of Tazocin or how often it is given. Your doctor may also want to test your blood to make sure that your treatment is working, especially if you take Tazocin for a long time.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines Tazocin may cause unwanted side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience persistent bloody diarrhoea, a severe allergic reaction (seen as swelling of the face or extreme difficulty breathing), widespread redness of the skin, or severe peeling of the skin.
Please tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if any of the following side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet:
The most common side effects are diarrhoea, skin rashes and feeling or being sick.
The uncommon side effects you may experience are pain, swelling, warmth or redness around the site of injection, headache, insomnia, constipation, dyspepsia, jaundice, stomatitis, puritus, urticaria, erythema, and fever.
More rarely, you may experience abnormal bruising and bleeding, itching, an itchy rash, eczema or other types of skin reactions, mild allergic reactions and super-infections (usually seen as thrush), increased sweating, muscle pain or weakness, pain in the joints, twitching, convulsions, tiredness, hallucinations, dry or sore mouth, mouth ulcers, water retention, heartburn, abdominal pain or discomfort, soft or loose stools.
Unwanted effects of Tazocin that you may not be aware of whilst taking your medicine include low blood pressure (seen as dizziness on standing), inflammation of the veins, changes in the number of red or white blood cells or platelets, or the levels of potassium, glucose or protein in your blood; temporary increases in levels of liver enzymes or bilirubin in the blood, changes in liver function (causing yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, itchy skin, darker urine and paler stools), or, rarely, changes in kidney function. During your treatment you may have some tests to measure any changes.
How To Store Tazocin
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
The hospital pharmacy will ensure Tazocin is not stored above 25 °C and it is used before the expiry date printed on the vial label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Made up solutions prepared in sterile conditions may be stored for up to 24 hours in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
Further Information
What Tazocin contains
- The active substances are piperacillin and tazobactam. It is available in the following strengths;
Tazocin 2g/0.25g contains the equivalent of 2g piperacillin and 250mg tazobactam both presented as sodium salts. Tazocin 4g/0.5g contains the equivalent of 4g piperacillin and 500mg tazobactam both presented as sodium salts.
- Tazocin also contains disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA) and citric acid.
What Tazocin looks like and contents of the pack
Tazocin comes in packs containing one small bottle of powder which must be dissolved into a solution before it is given to you by injection or infusion (a slow injection or "drip") into your vein.
Tazocin 4g/0.5g also comes in an infusion pack where it is supplied with a 50ml bottle of Water for Injection to dissolve the powder in before use.
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Manufacturer:
This leaflet was last approved in 10/2009
* Trademark
This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio or Braille on request. Contact 0800 198 5000 to request this, quoting one of the following numbers: 00011/0292 or 00011/0293.
Doc ID 54783 taken from 54234
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