Ceftazidime (Injection)

Ceftazidime (Injection) is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It is part of a group of medicines called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

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

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact 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 worsens, contact your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experience 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, inform the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, it's important to consider the risks and benefits. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your healthcare 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

Studies conducted so far have not shown any pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in children.

Geriatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in the elderly. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related kidney issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for patients receiving ceftazidime injection.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

While some 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 knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on 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 necessary 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 increase the 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

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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

Other Medical Problems

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

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

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be stronger 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 happen, if they do, they may need medical attention.

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

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• bloating
• bluish color
• changes in skin color
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• fever
• increased thirst
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• nausea or vomiting
• pain
• pain during sexual intercourse
• swelling at the site of injection
• swelling of the foot or leg
• tenderness
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash

Rare

• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chills
• cough
• dark urine
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• general body swelling
• headache
• hives
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• nosebleeds
• pale skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• sore throat
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• change in consciousness
• chest pain
• clay-colored stools
• confusion
• coughing up blood
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• diarrhea
• difficult or painful urination
• drowsiness
• hallucinations
• increased blood pressure
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased thirst
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• muscle twitching or jerking
• nosebleeds
• paralysis
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• rhythmic movement of the muscles
• seizures
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stiff neck
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• swollen or painful glands
• troubled breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting of blood
• watery or bloody diarrhea
• 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

• Red streaks on the skin
• 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.

In the U.S.

• Fortaz
• Tazicef

In Canada

• Ceptaz

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 3rd Generation Cephalosporin

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.