Piperacillin and Tazobactam

What is piperacillin/tazobactam?

Pip-Tazo is a medicine called an antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent certain types of infection caused by bacteria. Pip-Tazo is made up of two medicines, piperacillin and tazobactam. It comes in an injection form.

Before giving piperacillin/tazobactam to your child

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if your child has:

• An allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics. Your child may also be allergic to Pip-Tazo.

Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions.

Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• salt restrictions in their diet
• kidney problems

How will your child get piperacillin/tazobactam?

Pip-Tazo is a clear liquid a nurse will give by needle into your child's vein. Usually, your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or on the nursing unit. If your child is taking this medicine at home, a nurse will come to your home to give it.

What are the possible side effects of piperacillin/tazobactam?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take Pip-Tazo. Call the nurse if your child has any of these side effects:

• diarrhea (watery or loose stools)
• headache
• constipation
• nausea or upset stomach
• vomiting (throwing up)

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem.

Tell the nurse or doctor right away if your child has any of these side effects. If your child is no longer at the hospital, call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• severe watery and bloody stools
• skin rash with fever, itching, hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin)
• seizures
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, fingers, and legs
• fast or irregular breathing
• shortness of breath
• yellow eyes or skin
• severe stomach cramps and pain
• pain, redness, or swelling at the site of injection

What safety measures should you take when your child is using piperacillin/tazobactam?

Check with your child's doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before giving them any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

What other important information should you know about piperacillin/tazobactam?

• Make sure you always have enough Pip-Tazo to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show this list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep Pip-Tazo powder at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen. If your child is getting this medicine at home, your nurse will mix the Pip-Tazo powder for you.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep piperacillin and tazobactam out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much piperacillin and tazobactam, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.