Cefoperazone + Sulbactam Injection

• Type: Combination antibiotic injection

• Drug Class:

  • Cefoperazone: Third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic

  • Sulbactam: Beta-lactamase inhibitor

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

How It Works

• Cefoperazone kills bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, causing cell death.

• Sulbactam blocks bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes, which normally break down cefoperazone and make it ineffective.

• This combination provides broader and more reliable antibacterial coverage, including many drug-resistant bacteria.

Common Uses

This combination is used to treat a variety of moderate to severe infections, including:

• Respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis)

• Intra-abdominal infections (peritonitis, biliary tract infections)

• Urinary tract infections

• Skin and soft tissue infections

• Septicemia (bloodstream infections)

• Gynecological infections

• Bone and joint infections

Advantages

• Covers a wide range of bacteria, including many beta-lactamase–producing organisms

• Good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Useful in mixed infections (where multiple types of bacteria are present)

• Can be used in both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections

Possible Side Effects

• Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site

• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

• Rash, itching, or mild allergic reactions

• Elevated liver enzymes or bilirubin (especially in patients with liver disease)

• Bleeding tendency (rare, because cefoperazone may affect vitamin K metabolism)

• Rare: severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

Precautions

• Liver function should be monitored in patients with liver disease, as cefoperazone is mainly eliminated via bile

• In some cases, vitamin K supplementation may be needed to prevent bleeding problems

• Caution in patients with history of penicillin or cephalosporin allergy

• Should be used under medical supervision and only when bacterial infection is confirmed or strongly suspected