ceftazidime injection

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: sef TAY zi deem

Brand: Fortaz, Tazicef

What is the most important information I should know about ceftazidime injection?

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any cephalosporin antibiotic, or to a penicillin antibiotic.

What is ceftazidime injection?

Ceftazidime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Ceftazidime injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Ceftazidime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using ceftazidime injection?

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to ceftazidime or any other cephalosporin antibiotic, such as:

  • cefaclor (Raniclor);
  • cefadroxil (Duricef);
  • cefdinir (Omnicef);
  • cefazolin (Ancef);
  • cefditoren (Spectracef);
  • cefpodoxime (Vantin);
  • cefprozil (Cefzil);
  • ceftibuten (Cedax);
  • cefuroxime (Ceftin);
  • cephalexin (Keflex); or
  • cephradine (Velosef).

Before using ceftazidime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any type of penicillin antibiotic, such as:

  • amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag);
  • ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn);
  • dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
  • oxacillin (Bactocill);
  • penicillin (Bicillin L-A, PC Pen VK, Pfizerpen); or
  • ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin).

To make sure cefazolin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • diabetes;
  • congestive heart failure; or
  • if you are malnourished.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ceftazidime can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Ceftazidime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is ceftazidime injection given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Ceftazidime is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

You may need to mix ceftazidime with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Ceftazidime will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ceftazidime.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If your medicine was provided in a frozen form or was frozen after mixing, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Use the medicine as soon as possible after thawing it. Do not refreeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you are receiving this medication at a clinic, call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include muscle stiffness, restless feeling, confusion, uncontrolled movement of the hands, seizure, and coma.

What should I avoid while using ceftazidime injection?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of ceftazidime injection?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody; o
  • confusion, problems with speech or memory;
  • seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
  • a cold feeling, discoloration, or skin changes in your fingers.

Common side effects may include:

  • pain, swelling, burning, or irritation around the IV needle;
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect ceftazidime injection?

Other drugs may interact with ceftazidime, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about ceftazidime injection.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 9/11/2017.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link .