Continuous Infusion Piperacillin-tazobactam for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis

Study Summary

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder leading to chronic pulmonary inflammation and infection. A majority of people with cystic fibrosis have large quantities of bacteria residing in their lungs. One of the most common and harmful bacteria is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patients with cystic fibrosis require frequent therapy with intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics to treat lung infections thought to be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. One of the antibiotics frequently used to treat this bacteria is piperacillin-tazobactam. Piperacillin-tazobactam is thought to be the most effective when there is a constant level of drug in the body. The standard way to administer piperacillin-tazobactam is to give several grams 4 times each day as a 30 minute infusion. An alternative way to give piperacillin-tazobactam is by a continuous infusion; a continuous infusion will make it more likely that drug will remain at a constant level in the body. The objective of this study is to determine if administering piperacillin-tazobactam as a continuous infusion is more effective at treating people having a pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis than a standard 30 minute infusion, 4 times a day.

Primary Outcome

FEV1 will be measured upon enrollment (day 0). FEV1 will also be measured at end of therapy (day 14). If FEV1 is available when patient was stable, prior to enrollment, this value will be treated as baseline FEV1. Change in FEV1 will be calculated from baseline (if available) to day 14 and also Day 0 to day 14

Interventions

• DRUG Piperacillin-tazobactam combination product