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[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/)

# Ceftolozane + tazobactam

A newer cephalosporin combined with tazobactam for urinary, abdominal and pneumonia infections due to resistant gram-negatives.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/)
- Enzyme: Bacterial PBPs (ceftolozane) and β-lactamases (tazobactam)
- ATC code: J01DI54
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Also called: ceftolozane–tazobactam

✂**Bacterial PBPs (ceftolozane) and β-lactamases (tazobactam)**Ceftolozane + tazobactam

ⓘ The figure shows the SHV-1 β-lactamase of Klebsiella pneumoniae inhibited by tazobactam (intermediate bound to the active site); no structure of ceftolozane bound to a PBP has been published.

**Target in 3D:** Bacterial PBPs (ceftolozane) and β-lactamases (tazobactam). PDB structure 1VM1 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1VM1) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Ceftolozane is a cephalosporin that acylates the PBPs and stops gram-negative wall synthesis. Tazobactam inhibits many class A β-lactamases, including some ESBLs, and protects ceftolozane. The combination has broad activity with greater stability to chromosomal β-lactamase (AmpC). No combination of this kind works against metallo-β-lactamase producers.

- Tazobactam inactivates class A β-lactamases
- Ceftolozane, more stable to AmpC, reaches the PBPs
- Peptidoglycan cross-linking is blocked
- The bacterium lyses

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Intravenous only.

**Elimination**
By the kidney; adjusted in kidney failure.

## Indications

- Complicated urinary tract infections.
- Complicated intra-abdominal infections. [Peritonitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peritonitis/)
- Certain pneumonias.

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Headache, insomnia, anxiety
- Abdominal pain

### Serious (rare, important)

- Anaphylaxis
- Clostridioides difficile diarrhoea, from mild to severe colitis

## Contraindications

- Serious hypersensitivity to any component or to other β-lactams

## Key interactions

**Other drugs and supplements**
The label asks for a full medication review; dose changes or monitoring may be needed.

## What is monitored

- Creatinine (dose adjustment)
- Cultures and susceptibility tests

## Administration and safety

- Intravenous infusion only.
- Do not confuse with piperacillin + tazobactam: both carry tazobactam, but the main antibiotic differs.
- Used under the antimicrobial stewardship programme.

## Nursing care

- Before the first dose: ask about allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins and other β-lactams, and what the reaction was.
- Monitor creatinine and urine output.
- Teach the patient to report watery or bloody diarrhoea, even weeks after the course ends.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Data in pregnant women are limited; it is used only if the benefit justifies the risk, and the team is told about any pregnancy.

## Memory aid

'Tazobactam has two partners': with piperacillin it is the hospital workhorse; with ceftolozane, the reserve for resistant gram-negatives.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Against which β-lactamase producers does ceftolozane + tazobactam fail?

Against metallo-β-lactamase (class B) producers.

## What does it share with piperacillin + tazobactam, and how does it differ?

Both use tazobactam as the inhibitor; ceftolozane is a cephalosporin more stable to AmpC, while piperacillin is a penicillin.

## For which infections was this combination first approved?

For complicated intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ceftolozane-tazobactam/)

## Related drugs

- [Piperacillin + tazobactam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/piperacillin-tazobactam/)
- [Ceftazidime + avibactam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftazidime-avibactam/)
- [Cefiderocol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cefiderocol/)

## Related conditions

- [Peritonitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peritonitis/)

[← Back to the class: Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Ceftolozane and Tazobactam Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a615010.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 1VM1: STRUCTURE OF SHV-1 BETA-LACTAMASE INHIBITED BY TAZOBACTAM](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1VM1) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), cap. 43 (McGraw Hill, 2025).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftolozane-tazobactam/