Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Note on this source. The FDA label used for this page covers a combination product listed as Piperacillin Sodium And Tazobactam Sodium. The information below therefore describes that product, not Tazobactam Sodium on its own. Check the label of the specific product you have.
Quick facts
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1659137
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Piperacillin and tazobactam for injection, for intravenous use is a combination of piperacillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial and tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of: Intra-abdominal infections in adult and pediatric patients 2 months of age and older ( 1.1 ) Nosocomial pneumonia in adult and pediatric patients 2 months of age and older ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections in adults ( 1.3 ) Female pelvic infections in adults ( 1.4 ) Community-acquired pneumonia in adults ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Piperacillin and tazobactam and other antibacterial drugs, piperacillin and tazobactam for injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. ( 1.6 ) 1.1 Intra-abdominal Infections Piperacillin and tazobactam is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (2 months of age and older) for the treatment of appendicitis (complicated by rupture or abscess) and peritonitis caused by beta-lactamase producing isolates of Escherichia coli or the following members of the Bacteroides fragilis group: B. fragilis, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron , or B. vulgatus . 1.2 Nosocomial Pneumonia Piperacillin and tazobactam is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (2 months of age and older) for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia (moderate to severe) caused by beta-lactamase producing isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and by piperacillin and tazobactam-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Nosocomial pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa should be treated in combination with an aminoglycoside) [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . 1.3 Skin and Skin Structure Infections Piperacillin and tazobactam is indicated in adults for the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated skin and skin structure infections, including cellulitis, cutaneous abscesses and ischemic/diabetic foot infections caused by beta-lactamase producing isolates of Staphylococcus aureus . […]
About this medicine
Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP is an injectable antibacterial combination product consisting of the semisynthetic antibacterial piperacillin sodium and the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam sodium for intravenous administration. Piperacillin sodium is derived from D(-)-α-aminobenzyl-penicillin. The chemical name of piperacillin sodium is sodium (2 S ,5 R ,6 R )-6-[( R )-2-(4-ethyl-2,3-dioxo-1-piperazine-carboxamido)-2-phenylacetamido]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylate. The chemical formula is C 23 H 26 N 5 NaO 7 S and the molecular weight is 539.5. The chemical structure of piperacillin sodium is: Tazobactam sodium, a derivative of the penicillin nucleus, is a penicillanic acid sulfone. Its chemical name is sodium (2 S ,3 S ,5 R )-3-methyl-7-oxo-3-(1 H -1,2,3-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0] heptane-2-carboxylate-4,4-dioxide. The chemical formula is C 10 H 11 N 4 NaO 5 S and the molecular weight is 322.3. The chemical structure of tazobactam sodium is: Piperacillin and tazobactam contains a total of 2.35 mEq (54 mg) of sodium (Na+) per gram of piperacillin in the combination product. Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, is a white to off-white sterile, lyophilized powder consisting of piperacillin and tazobactam as their sodium salts packaged in glass vials. This product does not contain excipients or preservatives. Each Piperacillin and tazobactam 3.375 gram single-dose vial contains an amount of drug sufficient for withdrawal of piperacillin sodium equivalent to 3 grams of piperacillin and tazobactam sodium equivalent to 0.375 gram of tazobactam. Each vial contains 7.04 mEq (162 mg) of sodium. Each Piperacillin and tazobactam 4.5 gram single-dose vial contains an amount of drug sufficient for withdrawal of piperacillin sodium equivalent to 4 grams of piperacillin and tazobactam sodium equivalent to 0.5 gram of tazobactam. Each vial contains 9.39 mEq (216 mg) of sodium. Meets USP Organic Impurities Test 3. pip-structure taz-structure
Who should not take it
Piperacillin and tazobactam is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins, or beta-lactamase inhibitors. Patients with a history of allergic reactions to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins, or beta-lactamase inhibitors. ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
Serious hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylactic/anaphylactoid) reactions have been reported in patients receiving piperacillin and tazobactam. Discontinue piperacillin and tazobactam if a reaction occurs. ( 5.1 ) Piperacillin and tazobactam may cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Discontinue Piperacillin and tazobactam for progressive rashes. ( 5.2 ) Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been reported with the use of Piperacillin and tazobactam. If HLH is suspected, discontinue Piperacillin and tazobactam immediately. ( 5.3 ) Rhabdomyolysis: If signs or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are observed, discontinue Piperacillin and tazobactam for injection and initiate appropriate therapy. ( 5.4 ) Hematological effects (including bleeding, leukopenia and neutropenia) have occurred. Monitor hematologic tests during prolonged therapy. ( 5.5 ) As with other penicillins, Piperacillin and tazobactam may cause neuromuscular excitability or seizures. Patients receiving higher doses, especially in the presence of renal impairment may be at greater risk. Closely monitor patients with renal impairment or seizure disorders for signs and symptoms of neuromuscular excitability or seizures. ( 5.6 ) Nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients has been observed; the use of Piperacillin and tazobactam was found to be an independent risk factor for renal failure and was associated with delayed recovery of renal function as compared to other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs in a randomized, multicenter, controlled trial in critically ill patients. Based on this study, alternative treatment options should be considered in the critically ill population. If alternative treatment options are inadequate or unavailable, monitor renal function during treatment with Piperacillin and tazobactam. ( 5.7 ) Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea: evaluate patients if diarrhea occurs. […]
Reported side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hematologic Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Central Nervous System Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Nephrotoxicity in Critically Ill Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) are diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headache, and insomnia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Civica, Inc. at 1-833-224-2004 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Clinical Trials in Adult Patients During the initial clinical investigations, 2621 patients worldwide were treated with Piperacillin and tazobactam in phase 3 trials. In the key North American monotherapy clinical trials (n=830 patients), 90% of the adverse events reported were mild to moderate in severity and transient in nature. However, in 3.2% of the patients treated worldwide, Piperacillin and tazobactam was discontinued because of adverse events primarily involving the skin (1.3%), including rash and pruritus; the gastrointestinal system (0.9%), including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; and allergic reactions (0.5%). […]
Interactions with other medicines
Piperacillin and tazobactam administration can significantly reduce tobramycin concentrations in hemodialysis patients. Monitor tobramycin concentrations in these patients. ( 7.1 ) Probenecid prolongs the half-lives of Piperacillin and tazobactam and should not be co-administered with Piperacillin and tazobactam unless the benefit outweighs the risk. ( 7.2 ) Co-administration of Piperacillin and tazobactam with vancomycin may increase the incidence of acute kidney injury. Monitor kidney function in patients receiving Piperacillin and tazobactam and vancomycin. ( 7.3 ) Monitor coagulation parameters in patients receiving Piperacillin and tazobactam and heparin or oral anticoagulants. ( 7.4 ) Piperacillin and tazobactam may prolong the neuromuscular blockade of vecuronium and other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. Monitor for adverse reactions related to neuromuscular blockade. ( 7.5 ) 7.1 Aminoglycosides Piperacillin may inactivate aminoglycosides by converting them to microbiologically inert amides. In vivo inactivation: When aminoglycosides are administered in conjunction with piperacillin to patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, the concentrations of the aminoglycosides (especially tobramycin) may be significantly reduced and should be monitored. Sequential administration of Piperacillin and tazobactam for injection and tobramycin to patients with either normal renal function or mild to moderate renal impairment has been shown to modestly decrease serum concentrations of tobramycin but no dosage adjustment is considered necessary. In vitro inactivation: Due to the in vitro inactivation of aminoglycosides by piperacillin, Piperacillin and tazobactam and aminoglycosides are recommended for separate administration. Piperacillin and tazobactam and aminoglycosides should be reconstituted, diluted, and administered separately when concomitant therapy with aminoglycosides is indicated. Piperacillin and tazobactam is compatible with amikacin and gentamicin for simultaneous Y-site infusion in certain diluents and at specific concentrations. […]
Use in specific groups
Dosage in patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤40 mL/min) should be reduced based on the degree of renal impairment. ( 2.3 , 8.6 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Piperacillin and tazobactam cross the placenta in humans. However, there are insufficient data with piperacillin and/or tazobactam in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. No fetal structural abnormalities were observed in rats or mice when piperacillin and tazobactam was administered intravenously during organogenesis at doses 1 to 2 times and 2 to 3 times the human dose of piperacillin and tazobactam, respectively, based on body-surface area (mg/m 2 ). However, fetotoxicity in the presence of maternal toxicity was observed in developmental toxicity and peri/postnatal studies conducted in rats (intraperitoneal administration prior to mating and throughout gestation or from gestation day 17 through lactation day 21) at doses less than the maximum recommended human daily dose based on body-surface area (mg/m 2 ) [see Data ] . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies in mice and rats, pregnant animals received intravenous doses of piperacillin and tazobactam up to 3000/750 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. There was no evidence of teratogenicity up to the highest dose evaluated, which is 1 to 2 times and 2 to 3 times the human dose of piperacillin and tazobactam, in mice and rats respectively, based on body-surface area (mg/m 2 ). Fetal body weights were reduced in rats at maternally toxic doses at or above 500/62.5 mg/kg/day, minimally representing 0.4 times the human dose of both piperacillin and tazobactam based on body-surface area (mg/m 2 ). […]
If too much is taken
There have been postmarketing reports of overdose with piperacillin and tazobactam. The majority of those events experienced, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, have also been reported with the usual recommended dosages. Patients may experience neuromuscular excitability or seizures if higher than recommended doses are given intravenously (particularly in the presence of renal failure) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Treatment should be supportive and symptomatic according to the patient’s clinical presentation. Excessive serum concentrations of either piperacillin or tazobactam may be reduced by hemodialysis. Following a single 3.375 g dose of piperacillin and tazobactam, the percentage of the piperacillin and tazobactam dose removed by hemodialysis was approximately 31% and 39%, respectively [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) ] .
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 12 December 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.