Tazobactam is a
compound which inhibits the action of bacterial beta-lactamases. It is added to
the extended spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic piperacillin to produce Tazocin or
Zosyn. It broadens the spectrum of piperacillin by making it effective against organisms
that express beta-lactamase and would normally degrade piperacillin.
Tazobactam sodium is a derivative
of the penicillin nucleus and is a penicillanic acid sulfone.