Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Fortaz
2. Tazicef

Canadian Brand Name

1. Ceptaz

Descriptions

Ceftazidime injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ceftazidime injection.

Breastfeeding

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

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Furosemide
• Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Chloramphenicol

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Brain disease (e.g., encephalopathy, severe confusion) or
• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
• Diarrhea, severe, history of or
• Myoclonus (muscle twitching or jerking) or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles or through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Ceftazidime injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while receiving this medicine: confusion; loss of consciousness; jerking or twitching of the muscles; seizures; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there; or severe sleepiness.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects

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:

Less common

1. Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
2. bloating
3. bluish color
4. changes in skin color
5. diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
6. fever
7. increased thirst
8. itching of the vagina or genital area
9. nausea or vomiting
10. pain
11. pain during sexual intercourse
12. swelling at the site of injection
13. swelling of the foot or leg
14. tenderness
15. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
16. unusual tiredness or weakness
17. unusual weight loss
18. white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
19. white patches with diaper rash

Rare

1. Back, leg, or stomach pains
2. bleeding gums
3. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
4. chills
5. cough
6. dark urine
7. difficulty with breathing
8. difficulty with swallowing
9. dizziness
10. fast heartbeat
11. general body swelling
12. headache
13. hives
14. itching
15. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
16. loss of appetite
17. nosebleeds
18. pale skin
19. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
20. shortness of breath
21. skin rash
22. sore throat
23. tightness in the chest
24. wheezing
25. yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Agitation
2. bloody or cloudy urine
3. blurred vision
4. change in consciousness
5. chest pain
6. clay-colored stools
7. confusion
8. coughing up blood
9. decreased frequency or amount of urine
10. diarrhea
11. difficult or painful urination
12. drowsiness
13. hallucinations
14. increased blood pressure
15. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
16. increased thirst
17. irritability
18. loss of consciousness
19. lower back or side pain
20. muscle twitching or jerking
21. nosebleeds
22. paralysis
23. prolonged bleeding from cuts
24. red or black, tarry stools
25. red or dark brown urine
26. rhythmic movement of the muscles
27. seizures
28. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
29. stiff neck
30. sudden decrease in the amount of urine
31. swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
32. swollen or painful glands
33. troubled breathing
34. unpleasant breath odor
35. unusual bleeding or bruising
36. vomiting of blood
37. watery or bloody diarrhea
38. weight gain

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:

More common

1. Red streaks on the skin
2. swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

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.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ceftazidime-injection-route/precautions/drg-20073334