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Updated: May 10, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Severe bone marrow suppression and hepatic dysfunction caused by piperacillin/tazobactam

Zhong-Fang He1, Xin-An Wu, Yan-Ping Wang

  • 1From the Department of Pharmacy, 1st Hospital of Lanzhou University , Lanzhou , China.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Piperacillin/tazobactam antibiotic treatment can cause severe adverse effects. A patient developed agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and liver dysfunction, highlighting risks of long-term use.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Hematology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) is a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic combination.
  • Intracranial infections often require prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Observation:

  • A patient receiving long-term TZP for an intracranial infection developed severe adverse effects.
  • These complications manifested on day 17 of treatment.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced agranulocytosis (dangerously low white blood cell count).
  • Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and severe hepatic dysfunction (liver damage) were also observed.
  • These findings indicate potential bone marrow suppression and liver toxicity associated with TZP.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should monitor for hematological and hepatic adverse effects during extended Piperacillin/tazobactam therapy.
  • Awareness of these serious risks is crucial for patient safety in managing infections requiring long-term antibiotic treatment.

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