What is "tazobactam"

n. (context biochemistry English) A compound that inhibits the action of bacterial beta-lactamases, used in antibiotics.

Tazobactam is a pharmaceutical drug that inhibits the action of bacterial β-lactamases, especially those belonging to the SHV-1 and TEM groups. It is commonly used as its sodium salt, tazobactam sodium.

Tazobactam is combined with the extended spectrum β-lactam antibiotic piperacillin in the drug piperacillin/tazobactam, one of the preferred antibiotic treatments for nosocomial pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Tazobactam broadens the spectrum of piperacillin by making it effective against organisms that express β-lactamase and would normally degrade piperacillin.

Tazobactam is a heavily modified penicillin and a sulfone.