PHARMACOKINETICS AND TISSUE PENETRATION OF PIPERACILLIN TAZOBACTAM WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO ITS POTENTIAL IN ABDOMINAL AND SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS/

Piperacillin/tazobactam is a new drug consisting of a highly active pe nicillin and a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Pharmacokinetic variables of both components after they have been given together have been studied in healthy volunteers and in patients. Drug analysis in all studies wa s done by specific high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this review we summarise the pharmacokinetic properties of piperacillin/ta zobactam. Most importantly, data on the piperacillin show that its beh aviour is not changed when it is given with tazobactam. The pharmacoki netics of tazobactam are typical of beta-lactams, including the tissue penetration. It is distributed mainly into the extra-cellular space. Tissue concentrations of piperacillin/tazobactam and the concentration s of the two agents and their time course in plasma and tissue indicat e that this combination is well formulated and truly synergistic pharm acokinetically. Clinical trials will show how these characteristics in fluence treatment outcomes.