What Are the Uses of Cefoperazone and Sulbactam?

Cefoperazone and sulbactam are medications that are used to treat systemic bacterial infections. Sulbactam is an inhibitor that prevents bacteria from producing a certain enzyme. This helps cefoperazone, an antibiotic, work more effectively. These drugs are often given in a combination medication to treat certain infections.

Some types of severe infections that these medications may help treat include meningitis, intra-abdominal infections, and septicemia, which is a severe blood infection. Patients with skin or soft tissue infections may also benefit from this drug, as well as those with respiratory tract infections or urinary tract infections. Other types of infections that may be treated with this drug include pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, and infections of the bones or joints.

This drug may be administered via an injection into a muscle, or it may be given as an intravenous infusion into a vein. A healthcare professional will administer the proper dose, which is determined by the type and severity of infection. The proper dosage for a child may also be determined by his body weight. Cefoperazone and sulbactam will be diluted with sterile water and administered intravenously over the course of a minimum of three minutes. Most patients will receive a dose of these medications every 12 hours until the bacterial infection has completely cleared up.

Certain precautions should be followed while using this drug. Patients must advise their doctors if they have recently consumed alcohol, or if they have received any artificial feeding solutions that contain ethanol. Interactions with alcohol may also occur if it is consumed as late as five days following the last dose. Patients who have consumed alcohol may experience side effects like headaches, excessive sweating, and flushing. Tachycardia has also been reported, which is a condition in which the heart beats too rapidly.

Other side effects may occur from the use of these drugs, which should be reported to the prescribing physician if they become severe. Patients have reported mild pain at the injection site, which should dissipate. Headaches may also occur, along with cold or flu symptoms, such as chills. Rarely, some patients have also experienced a severe allergic reaction, which requires urgent medical care with epinephrine and intravenous steroids. Some signs of a possible allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, and hives.

Before using these medications, patients must disclose their other medical conditions, medications, and supplements. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss the potential risks with their doctors. The injection may be contraindicated for use by those with hepatic disease, biliary obstruction, or certain allergies. Cefoperazone and sulbactam should not be administered along with aminoglycosides.