Pharmacokinetic evaluation of piperacillin-tazobactam.
BACKGROUND
Piperacillin-tazobactam is a frequently prescribed intravenous antibiotic for moderate to severe infections used in hospital settings because of its broad activity against many pathogenic bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, its pharmacokinetics (PK) can be significantly altered in a variety of states.


METHODS
This article provides a comprehensive and critical review of the PK of piperacillin-tazobactam in different patient populations. The pharmacodynamics (PD) of piperacillin-tazobactam is also discussed.


RESULTS
The importance of appropriate antibiotic dosing in the context of the global tendency for reduced susceptibility of bacteria, including P. aeruginosa is emphasized. The interrelationship between PK and PD is discussed to provide an understanding of methods for procuring dosing regimens that increase the likelihood of clinical success for individual patients. Alternative dosing regimens, which may include administration by extended or continuous infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam as a mechanism to increase the likelihood of pharmacodynamic target attainment, are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Where piperacillin-tazobactam is required for treatment, applying knowledge of PK and PD characteristics can facilitate optimal outcomes.
Hayashi
Yoshiro
Y
University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Roberts
Jason A
JA
Paterson
David L
DL
Lipman
Jeffrey
J
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D010878:Piperacillin