Ticarcillin and clavulanate (Intravenous)

Ticarcillin and clavulanate combination is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body.

Ticarcillin and clavulanate combination is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by killing the bacteria or stopping their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine should be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

The ticarcillin/clavulanate combination was withdrawn from the United States market on February 9, 2015.

Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you or your child are taking this medicine. This helps your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and whether you should continue using it.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical help. Call your doctor right away if you experience itching, hives, hoarseness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or any swelling in your hands, face, mouth, or throat after receiving this medicine.

The ticarcillin and clavulanate combination may lead to diarrhea, which can be severe in some cases. This may happen 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medication to treat diarrhea without first consulting your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea persists or worsens, consult your doctor.

Before undergoing any medical tests, inform the doctor that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be influenced by this medicine.

The ticarcillin and clavulanate combination may reduce the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives (birth control pills). To prevent an unwanted pregnancy, it is advisable to use additional contraceptive methods along with your pills (e.g. condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly) while using this medicine.

Do not take other medications unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines, as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional about any other allergies, like those to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies to date have not shown any pediatric-specific problems that limit the usefulness of ticarcillin and clavulanate combination in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in infants younger than 3 months.

Geriatric

Studies to date have not indicated geriatric-specific problems that limit the usefulness of ticarcillin and clavulanate combination in older adults. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related kidney or heart issues, which may require a dose adjustment for those receiving ticarcillin and clavulanate combination.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines when receiving this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and may not be all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Donepezil
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Gestodene
• Levonorgestrel
• Mestranol
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around mealtime or with specific foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to cephalosporin or penicillin antibiotics, history of—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Bleeding problems or
• Congestive heart failure or
• Diarrhea or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood)—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Blood in the urine
• frequent urination
• lower abdominal or stomach cramping
• painful urination

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• changes in skin color
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• convulsions
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• increased thirst
• irritability
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rash
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• restlessness
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen glands
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• change in taste or bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
• difficulty with moving
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• full feeling
• heartburn
• muscle aching, cramping, or stiffness
• passing gas
• swollen joints

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Timentin
• Timentin Novaplus

Pharmacologic Class: Ticarcillin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for 30 minutes.

Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.