Safety and tolerability of i.v. push piperacillin/tazobactam within an emergency department. (29th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hays, William Blake; Flack, Tara
• Is Part Of: American journal of health-system pharmacy. Volume 77:Number 13(2020)
• Page Start: 1051
• Page End: 1053
• Publication Date: 2020-05-29
• Subjects: beta-lactams -- drug safety -- infectious disease -- i.v. push antibiotics -- piperacillin/tazobactam -- Zosyn; Hospital pharmacies -- United States -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaa114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-2082

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Piperacillin/tazobactam is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is widely used and commonly administered via the intravenous (i.v.) piggyback route over 0.5 to 4.0 hours. Recommendations for i.v. push (IVP) administration of piperacillin/tazobactam are lacking due to the high osmolality of the solution. The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety and tolerability of piperacillin/tazobactam administered peripherally by IVP. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate adverse drug reactions after administration of a single dose of IVP piperacillin/tazobactam through a peripheral line in an emergency department from August 2016 through November 2017. Results: A total of 1, 813 patients received 1 dose of IVP piperacillin/tazobactam during the study timeframe. Three hundred patients were randomly selected for assessment of safety and tolerability. Two hundred ninety-nine patients (99.7%) tolerated IVP piperacillin/tazobactam. One patient had an allergic reaction that included itching and hives. No infusion-related reactions were documented. Conclusion: IVP administration of piperacillin/tazobactam through a peripheral site is safe and tolerable for adult patients.