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Brand Names: Zosyn

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

• What is piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• What are the possible side effects of piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• What is the most important information I should know about piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• How should I use piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zosyn)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zosyn)?
• What should I avoid while using piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• What other drugs will affect piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?

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.

The combination of piperacillin and tazobactam 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.

Piperacillin and tazobactam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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 side 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.

What is the most important information I should know about piperacillin and tazobactam (Zosyn)?

Do not use this medication 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 piperacillin and tazobactam 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 this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.