Zosyn is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia. Pneumonia is a condition that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, often filling them with fluid or pus. Administered in hospital settings, Zosyn works to combat a range of bacteria.
How Zosyn Works
Zosyn is a combination medication containing two active ingredients: piperacillin and tazobactam. Piperacillin is an extended-spectrum penicillin antibiotic that targets bacteria by preventing them from building their cell walls.
Some bacteria, however, have developed a defense mechanism by producing enzymes called beta-lactamases, which can break down and inactivate antibiotics like piperacillin. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that specifically blocks these bacterial enzymes, protecting piperacillin from degradation. By inhibiting these enzymes, tazobactam allows piperacillin to remain active. This combined action broadens Zosyn’s effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains.
When Zosyn is Used for Pneumonia
Zosyn is prescribed for pneumonia, especially in serious cases or when specific bacteria are suspected. It is often used for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which develops 48 hours or more after hospital admission, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which occurs over 48 hours after endotracheal intubation. These types of pneumonia often involve bacteria that are more resistant to common antibiotics.
The medication is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria in these severe lung infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Zosyn might be used in combination with another antibiotic, such as an aminoglycoside. Zosyn is also indicated for community-acquired pneumonia of moderate severity, especially if caused by beta-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae.
Receiving Zosyn and What to Expect
Zosyn is administered intravenously (IV) through an infusion, typically taking about 30 minutes for each dose. Because of its intravenous administration, Zosyn therapy usually requires a hospital stay.
The typical duration of Zosyn treatment for pneumonia can range from 7 to 14 days, depending on the infection’s severity and the patient’s response. For nosocomial pneumonia, the usual adult dosage is 4.5 grams every six hours, totaling 18 grams daily. Patients with reduced kidney function may require a lower dose.
Zosyn can cause side effects. Common ones include diarrhea, headache, constipation, nausea, and skin rash. More serious, less frequent side effects include severe allergic reactions, which may involve hives, rash, blistering, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing. There is also a risk of kidney issues, particularly when Zosyn is used alongside vancomycin, so kidney function is regularly monitored through blood tests during treatment. Zosyn can affect blood cell counts or electrolyte levels.