Cefepime + Tazobactam Sodium Injection

• Type: Combination antibiotic injection

• Drug Class:

  • Cefepime: Fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic

  • Tazobactam: Beta-lactamase inhibitor

• Form: Injectable solution or powder for reconstitution, given intravenously (IV)

How It Works

• Cefepime kills bacteria by interfering with the formation of their cell wall, leading to cell death.

• Tazobactam blocks bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes, which would otherwise destroy cefepime.

• Together, they provide broader coverage, including bacteria that produce beta-lactamase resistance enzymes.

Common Uses

This combination is used for moderate to severe bacterial infections such as:

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia

• Febrile neutropenia (fever in patients with very low white blood cell counts)

• Complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Skin and soft tissue infections

• Intra-abdominal infections

• Sepsis or bloodstream infections caused by susceptible bacteria

Advantages

• Covers a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

• Effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important hospital-acquired pathogen

• Beta-lactamase inhibitor (tazobactam) improves effectiveness against resistant strains

Possible Side Effects

• Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site

• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

• Headache

• Rash or allergic reactions

• Changes in liver enzymes or kidney function (seen in blood tests)

• Rare: severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), seizures (in patients with kidney failure if dose not adjusted)

Precautions

• Dose adjustment is required in patients with kidney problems

• Monitor for allergic reactions, especially in people allergic to penicillins or cephalosporins

• Overuse or misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance

• Should be administered under medical supervision, usually in a hospital setting