The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether subcutaneous piperacillin/tazobactam can provide drug exposure similar to standard intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam in adults who need treatment for an infection. It will also assess safety and clinical outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does subcutaneous piperacillin/tazobactam achieve pharmacokinetic exposure comparable to intravenous treatment? * Is subcutaneous piperacillin/tazobactam safe and feasible in this population? Researchers will compare subcutaneous continuous infusion with intravenous continuous infusion to see whether the subcutaneous route is not clinically worse than the standard intravenous route. Participants will: * Receive piperacillin/tazobactam by subcutaneous or intravenous continuous infusion after randomization * Have blood samples collected for pharmacokinetic assessments * Undergo safety, clinical, and end-of-treatment assessments during the study period
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
240
Participants randomized to the experimental arm will receive piperacillin/tazobactam by continuous subcutaneous infusion from D1 to D7 (end at D8), at a total daily dose of 18 g/day, administered via syringe pump. The study drug will be prepared every 12 hours as 9 g in 40 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride in a polypropylene syringe and infused through a small subcutaneous cannula (22-24G). Preferred insertion sites are the abdomen, followed by the thigh or arm. Cannula insertion and management will follow aseptic no-touch technique, with site change only if clinically indicated based on patient comfort or local site findings. Renal dose adjustments will be applied according to protocol.
Participants randomized to the control arm will receive piperacillin/tazobactam by continuous intravenous infusion from D1 to D7 (end at D8), at a total daily dose of 18 g/day. The study drug will be prepared every 24 hours as 18 g in 500 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride and administered through an electronic infusion pump using a dedicated intravenous line. Intravenous access may be peripheral or central, according to clinical practice and local requirements. Infusion line management and site care will follow local aseptic procedures and institutional standards. Renal dose adjustments will be applied according to protocol.
Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale
Udine, Italia/UD, Italy
RECRUITINGPK profile
Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of piperacillin/tazobactam measured from plasma antibiotic concentrations collected for pharmacokinetic assessment at steady state.
Time frame: Day 3
Achieving target concentrations
Proportion of participants achieving the prespecified target piperacillin plasma concentration of at least 40 mg/L based on therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic criteria.
Time frame: Days 0, 1, 3, and 6
Clinical cure at end of treatment
Clinical cure rate at the end of treatment, defined as partial or complete resolution of baseline clinical signs and symptoms of infection without need for additional antibiotic therapy for the index infection.
Time frame: Day 8
Incidence of local and systemic adverse events
Incidence of local adverse events related to the administration route (including edema, pain, erythema, and necrosis) and systemic adverse events recorded during treatment.
Time frame: Up to Day 9
Health-related quality of life assessed by EQ-5D-5L
Health-related quality of life assessed with the EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). The EQ-5D-5L descriptive system includes 5 dimensions scored on 5 levels from 1 to 5; lower levels indicate better health status. Participants also complete the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS), ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better perceived health.
Time frame: Days 0, 3, and 9
Patient-reported experience assessed by PREM questionnaire
Patient-reported experience assessed using the study PREM questionnaire.
Time frame: Day 9
Perception of nurses
Nurses' perceptions of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of piperacillin/tazobactam explored through semi-structured interviews addressing ease of administration, perceived benefits and challenges, patient responses, and logistical or technical issues.
Time frame: Through study completion
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