Tazobactam: Uses, Mechanism of action and Side effects

Uses of Tazobactam

Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor antibiotic that prevents beta-lactamase-producing organisms from breaking down other antibiotics. It is usually used in combination with piperacillin and cefotolan for the treatment of various bacterial infections. In clinical use piperacillin and tazobactam injection is used to treat pneumonia and skin, gynaecological and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria. Piperacillin belongs to a group of penicillin antibiotic drugs. It works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. And tazobactam works by preventing the bacteria from destroying piperacillin. However, this medication is not indicated for colds, flu or other viral infections.

Ceftolozane/tazobactam is a novel combination antibacterial agent comprising ceftolozane (a potent antipseudomonal cephalosporin) and tazobactam (a β-lactamase inhibitor). Phase III trials have demonstrated non-inferiority of ceftolozane/tazobactam to comparators, leading to the approval of ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and nosocomial pneumonia.

Mechanism of action

Tazobactam functions as an irreversible inhibitor by covalently binding to β-lactamases, and prevents the enzyme hydrolysis of ceftolozane, thereby enhancing its activity against resistant ESBL-producing pathogens, along with expanding coverage to include anaerobes (e.g., Bacteroides spp.)

Side effects of Tazobactam

A more common side effect of Piperacillin and Tazobactam Injection is diarrhoea; less common or possible side effects that may occur in a small number of patients include nausea or vomiting, headache, chest pain, lower back pain, bladder pain, stomach pain, fever or sweating, swelling of the face or limbs, problems with vision or hearing, rash, slow or fast heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Rarely or very rarely, people may experience: bleeding, blistering, burning, cold, skin discolouration, pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scars, soreness, tingling, swelling, pressure, stinging, ulcers, or heat at the site of the injection, bone pain, unusual bleeding or bruising, cold sweats, coughing, deep or shortness of breath with dizziness, watery diarrhoea, drowsiness, temporary blindness, depression, stomach cramps and generalised convulsions.

Common side effects of Ceftolozane/tazobactam preparations include diarrhoea, headache, nausea and fever, and in a few cases, renal impairment or failure, and elevated liver transaminases may occur.

References

[1] SHAZAD MUSHTAQ . Cefepime/tazobactam compared with other tazobactam combinations against problem Gram-negative bacteria[J]. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 2021. DOI:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106318.

[2] IGNACIO MARTIN-LOECHES; C A D; Christopher J Bruno. Perspectives on the use of ceftolozane/tazobactam: a review of clinical trial data and real-world evidence.[J]. Future microbiology, 2024. DOI:10.2217/fmb-2023-0197.

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