Continuous infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam in patients with severe infections: A possible pharmacokinetic optimisation?

• Published in: Annales pharmaceutiques françaises Vol. 72; no. 3; p. 146
• Main Authors: Attivi, D, Gibaud, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - economics; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacokinetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial Infections - drug therapy; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; Drug Costs; Drug Stability; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Penicillanic Acid - administration & dosage; Penicillanic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Penicillanic Acid - economics; Penicillanic Acid - pharmacokinetics; Penicillanic Acid - therapeutic use; Piperacillin - administration & dosage; Piperacillin - economics; Piperacillin - pharmacokinetics; Piperacillin - therapeutic use; Bêta-lactamine; Infusion; Beta-lactam; Pipéracilline; Tazobactam; Perfusion; Piperacillin; Pharmacocinétique; Pharmacokinetics
• ISSN: 0003-4509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2013.12.006

Piperacillin/Tazobactam is a time-dependent antimicrobial combination (beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor) commonly used in the treatment of severe Gram-negative infections. The optimisation of its time-dependent bactericidal activity via continuous infusion could improve clinical outcomes. Several studies have been realized on the relevance of a continuous infusion, but, to date, no definitive position can be adopted on the matter and a well-designed randomized controlled trial is warranted. In other articles, continuous infusion regimens are also more cost efficient. This article is an update, including the most recent trials about this subject.