Cefepime+tazobactam
About
Cefepime+tazobactam belongs to the class of medications called ‘antibiotics’ used to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial infections are caused by the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Symptoms of bacterial infection vary depending on the organ affected by bacteria.
Cefepime+tazobactam is a combination of two medicines: Cefepime and Tazobactam. Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It has bactericidal action (kills bacteria). It works by preventing the formation of the cell wall (the outer protective layer of bacteria, which is essential for its survival) by preventing protein synthesis. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It can improve the spectrum of antibacterial action by inhibiting the action of beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by bacteria that can destroy antibiotics (cefotaxime). Cefepime+tazobactam is only used to treat bacterial infections and is not recommended for viral infections.
Cefepime+tazobactam will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The common side effects of Cefepime+tazobactam are pain and swelling at the injection site and skin rash. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Cefepime+tazobactam if you are allergic to penicillin, any cephalosporin antibiotic, or its contents. Before taking Cefepime+tazobactam, inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, especially colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), or use other antibiotics. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop using Cefepime+tazobactam as it may lead to antibiotic resistance (bacteria become resistant to antibiotics). This medicine is not recommended in children aged less than two years. Cefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people. Cefepime+tazobactam may interact with alcohol. Cefepime+tazobactam may not affect your ability to drive.
Uses of Cefepime+tazobactam
Medicinal Benefits
Cefepime+tazobactam contains Cefepime and Tazobactam. Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, whereas Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Cefepime+tazobactam has broad-spectrum activity and is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It makes the drug effective in multiple moderate to severe bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract (lung) infections such pneumonia (inflammation of the air sacs present in lungs) and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), septicemia (including infections of the bloodstream), and empiric treatment in febrile neutropenic patients (development of fever in patients with low neutrophil count).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cefepime+tazobactam
- Pain at the injection site
- Swelling at the injection site
- Skin rash
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Cefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment. There is a risk of serious adverse events such as confusion, hallucinations, stupor (a state of near-unconsciousness), and seizures (fits). Cefepime+tazobactam may cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, the doctor may discontinue therapy and advise appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, and antibiotic therapy to treat CDAD. A Cefepime+tazobactam may cause positive direct Coomb’s test, which indicates antibodies against red blood cells. So, it is necessary to let your doctor know that you are taking this medicine before undergoing laboratory tests. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication as it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Cefepime+tazobactam may cause superinfection (additional infection caused by other microbes) on prolonged use.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cefepime+tazobactam may interact with aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin, neomycin, and gentamicin) as it may cause severe nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidney). It may also interact with a medicine used to treat gout (probenecid).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Cefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems, gastrointestinal problems, especially colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionCefepime+tazobactam may interact with alcohol. Consult your doctor before consuming any alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionCefepime+tazobactam is a category B medicine and may not cause harmful effects to the unborn baby. However, it should be used in pregnant women only if prescribed by a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionCefepime+tazobactam may pass into breast milk in small amounts. So, caution should be exercised when given to breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
safe if prescribedCefepime+tazobactam may not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionCefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution in patients with live diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionCefepime+tazobactam is not recommended for children below two years of age. It can be used safely in children above two years. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Cefepime+tazobactam to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fiber-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fiber-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages can make you dehydrated and also affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the antibiotic in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Cefepime+tazobactam may cause positive Coomb’s test, increase liver enzymes, alter red blood cell count, decrease phosphorus and cause abnormal prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (abnormal PT and PTT indicate abnormal blood clotting). So, it is necessary to let your doctor know that you are taking Cefepime+tazobactam before undergoing laboratory tests.
- If you are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentamicin, your kidney function should be regularly monitored.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any organ of the body and multiply very quickly. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses (like sore throat and ear infections) to severe brain infections (like meningitis and encephalitis). When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Few harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.
FAQs
Cefepime+tazobactam is used to treat bacterial infections. It contains Cefepime and Tazobactam. Cefepime reduces the infection by inhibiting bacterial growth. It disrupts the formation of the cell wall (outer layer), which is essential for bacteria's survival. Tazobactam inhibits the action of beta-lactamase, an enzyme produced by the bacteria to destroy antibiotics (cefepime).
The common side-effects of Cefepime+tazobactam are pain and swelling at the injection site, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and skin rash. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, inform your doctor immediately if any of these side-effects persist or get worse.
In individuals who have kidney problems, colitis (inflammation of the intestine), and diabetes, Cefepime+tazobactam should be used with caution as this medicine may worsen the condition.
Cefepime+tazobactam may cause diarrhoea like most of the antibiotics. So, if you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or experience severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor immediately. Taking plenty of fluids may help in preventing dehydration. Do not take any medicine on your own to treat diarrhoea.
People allergic to penicillin should not take Cefepime+tazobactam as they may develop cross-sensitivity (sensitivity to drugs with similar structures). Cefepime+tazobactam contains cefepime, which has a similar structure to that of penicillin.
