What is Zosyn? Dosage, Administration, Side Effects


What is Zosyn?

Zosyn is a medication comprising of two kinds of drugs: tazobactam and piperacillin. Tazobactam is an inhibitor that hinders the resistance to antibiotics while piperacillin is simply an antibiotic. This medication is used in fighting bacteria in the human body.

It goes a long way in treating varied kinds of infections caused by bacteria like stomach infections, urinary tract infections, joint and bone infections, pneumonia, serious vagina infections and stomach infections. This medication is at times administered together with other kinds of antibiotics.




Usage

To bring down the chances of drug resistant bacteria developing, and to ensure that the zosyn is effective, the drug must be used only in the treatment or prevention of infections which are strongly suspected or proven to have been instigated by bacteria. Once the susceptibility information and culture is available, they should be used in modifying or selecting the kind of antibacterial therapy to be used.5

The below discussed conditions can be treated readily using zosyn.

  • Intra-abdominal disorders: Zosyn is very effective in treating conditions affecting the abdominal region like the peritonitis and appendicitis, since they are linked to a bacterium.
  • Skin structure and skin infections: These are the complicated and uncomplicated skin structure and skin infections such as diabetic feet infections or ischemic, cellulitis and cutaneous abscesses.
  • Pelvic infections in females: Zosyn is effective in the treatment of the bacteria that causes the pelvic inflammatory diseases as well as post-partum endometritis.
  • Pneumonia: The community acquired pneumonia caused by a bacterium referred to as haemophilus influenzae is treated using zosyn.

How Zosyn Taken?

This drug is administered using an injection inside a vein as illustrated by the doctor, normally after 6 hours. The process of injection must be slow and should be done over a span of thirty minutes. The dosage given will depend on the medical condition of the patient as well as their response to the treatment. For small children, the dosage given will also vary depending on their weight and age.

The patients using the drug in their homes must first of all learn about its usage and preparation from the medical practitioner. Prior to using the product, it is paramount for one to check for any discoloration or particles. Once either of these products is detected, the drug must not be used. You must also be aware of the best methods of safely discarding and storing medical supplies.

When using a frozen already mixed solution, the container should be thawed at room temperature or inside the fridge. In case your bag is thawed in the fridge, make sure it sits at room temperature before you use it. You must never thaw by microwaving or putting the bag in hot or warm water. Once thawing is done, squeeze and shake the container well to look for any leaks. The solution must not undergo re-freezing after the solution is thawed.

For top results, the antibiotic should be used at evenly spaced periods. For you to remember clearly, use the medicine at similar time intervals each day.

You must go on using this drug for the entire time the doctor prescribed, even when the symptoms disappear after some days. When the medication is stopped very early, there is a risk of the infection returning. If you notice that the condition is getting worse or taking long to respond to treatment, notify your doctor.



Administration and Dosage of Zosyn

The normal daily dosage of zosyn for adult patients is 3.375grams after each six hours, which totals to 13.5grams of the drug (1.5g of tazobactum and 12.0g of piperacillin). The standard duration for using zosyn treatment is between 7 and 10 days. Zosyn must be administered through intravenous infusion above 30 minutes.

The first probable treatment for patients suffering from nosocomial pneumonia must begin with a dosage of zosyn weighing 4.5g after each six hours in addition to aminoglycoside. This mixture adds up to 18.0g; 2.0g tazobactum and 16.0g piperacillin. The dose for individuals suffering from dialysis and renal impairment must be reduced depending on the level or degree of the actual impairment of the renal structure (Usually≤ 40ml/min CRCL).

For the kids with peritonitis or appendicitis, the recommended dosage of Zosyn is 12.5mg of tazobactum and 100mg of piperacillin per kg of body mass, each 8 hours in the sick kids aged 9 months and above. For the pediatric patients aged between 2 and 9 months, the advisable dose is 10mg tazobactum and 80mg piperacillin of body mass, each 8 hours.


Aminoglycosides and zosyn must be diluted, reconstituted and administered individually.

Zosyn is not friendly to tobramycin in simultaneous administration through y-site infusion. There is no compatibility that has been established between zosyn and other aminoglycosides.

The products of the parenteral drug must be inspected well visually for any discoloration and particulate matter before administration, whenever container and solution permit.

Side Effects of Zosyn

Some of the common side effects of using zosyn that you must notify your medical practitioner include:

  • Headaches
  • Abnormal or unpleasant taste
  • Gas
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Vomiting or upset stomach

The below are some of the serious side effects that you must alert the doctor about once you start experiencing them:

  • Fast heart rate
  • Swelling
  • Itchy skin
  • Rash
  • Bruising or unusual bleeding
  • Bloody or watery diarrhea
  • Short breaths
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Flu symptoms, body aches, chills and fever
  • Low count of blood cells characterized by breathing problems, swollen gums, pain during swallowing, painful sores in the mouth, and fever.
  • Decreased levels of potassium indicated by increased urination or thirst, chest fluttering, leg cramps, tingling or numbness, limp feeling or muscle weakness, and constipation.
  • Symptoms of inflammation within the body shown by easy bleeding or bruising, swollen glands, severe numbness or tingling, jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), chest pains, flu symptoms, breathing problems and worsening or new cough accompanied by fever.
  • Severe reaction of the skin involving swelling of the tongue and face, developing fever, having burning eyes, having sore throat, and experiencing pain in the skin that comes along with purple or red skin rash, which spreads in the upper part of body like the face thus causing signs like peeling and blistering.

Reference list

  1. Zosyn Vial – http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-16577/zosyn-intravenous/details
  2. Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam) for injection. -https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/050684s88s89s90_050750s37s38s39lbl.pdf
  3. piperacillin-tazobactam vial – http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-16568/piperacillin-tazobactam-intravenous/details
  4. piperacillin and tazobactam. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/piperacillin-and-tazobactam.html
  5. What is Zyson? http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/zosyn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *