Zosyn

Zosyn

Generic Name: piperacillin and tazobactam (pi PER a sil in and tay zoe BAK tam )

Brand Names: Zosyn

What is Zosyn?

Zosyn contains a combination of piperacillin and tazobactam. Piperacillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Piperacillin fights bacteria in the body.

Tazobactam is in a similar group of antibiotic drugs and also fights bacteria in the body.

Zosyn is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, severe vaginal infections, stomach infections, skin infections, and pneumonia.

Zosyn may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide

Important information about Zosyn

Do not use Zosyn if you are allergic to piperacillin and tazobactam or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using Zosyn tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, low levels of potassium in your blood, a history of any type of allergy, or if you are on a salt-restricted diet.

Use Zosyn for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

Before using Zosyn

Do not use Zosyn if you are allergic to piperacillin and tazobactam or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin);

ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

carbenicillin (Geocillin);

dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);

oxacillin (Bactocill);

ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin); or

penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).

Before using Zosyn, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium in your blood;

cystic fibrosis;

a history of any type of allergy; or

if you are on a salt-restricted diet.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Zosyn.

FDA pregnancy category B. Zosyn is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Piperacillin and tazobactam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Zosyn without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Zosyn pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Zosyn?

Use Zosyn exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Zosyn is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.

Zosyn must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it. Shake the medication and diluent until well dissolved. Do not mix the medicine or draw your dose into a syringe or IV bag until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Zosyn is usually given for 7 to 10 days, depending on the infection being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use Zosyn for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Zosyn will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Zosyn can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Zosyn.

Store unmixed Zosyn, and the liquid diluent, at cool room temperature. After mixing the medicine and diluent, you may store it at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Throw away any unused mixture that has not been used within that time. Mixed medication can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Throw away any unused mixture that has not been used within that time.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Zosyn overdose symptoms may include severe anxiety, agitation, feeling restless or nervous, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using Zosyn?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Zosyn side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zosyn: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

dry mouth, increased thirst, confusion, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

seizure (convulsions).

Less serious Zosyn ide effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset;

constipation;

headache;

anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);

skin rash or itching;

pain, swelling, or other irritation where the injection was given; or

vaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Zosyn side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Zosyn?

Before using Zosyn, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

probenecid (Benemid);

an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

any other medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zosyn. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Zosyn resources

Zosyn Side Effects (in More Detail)

Zosyn Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Zosyn Drug Interactions

Zosyn Support Group

1 Review for Zosyn - Add your own review/rating

Zosyn Prescribing Information (FDA)

Zosyn Monograph (AHFS DI)

Zosyn Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Zosyn MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Zosyn with other medications

Appendectomy

Aspiration Pneumonia

Bacteremia

Bone infection

Deep Neck Infection

Endometritis

Febrile Neutropenia

Intraabdominal Infection

Joint Infection

Kidney Infections

Nosocomial Pneumonia

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Peritonitis

Pneumonia

Skin Infection

Urinary Tract Infection

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Zosyn.

What does my medication look like?

Piperacillin and tazobactam is available with a prescription under the brand name Zosyn. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Zosyn, especially if it is new to you.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.li>