ceftazidime pentahydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
Main antibacterial coverage
Predominantly susceptible aerobic Gram-negative bacteria
How it is given
Intravenous injection or infusion, or deep intramuscular injection when appropriate
Kidney function
Eliminated mainly unchanged in urine, making renal function important for safe prescribing
What is ceftazidime pentahydrate used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected product include:
Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Bronchopulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
Bacterial meningitis
Chronic suppurative otitis media and malignant otitis externa
Complicated urinary tract, skin and soft-tissue, intra-abdominal, bone and joint infections
Peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Bacteraemia associated with, or suspected to be associated with, a listed infection
Suspected bacterial infection in a patient with neutropenic fever
Prevention of urinary tract infection around transurethral prostate resection
How does ceftazidime pentahydrate work?
It binds to bacterial penicillin-binding proteins and disrupts construction of the cell wall, killing susceptible bacteria. Beta-lactamases, altered targets, reduced entry and efflux pumps can cause resistance.
ceftazidime pentahydrate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g
How to take ceftazidime pentahydrate
A trained healthcare professional must reconstitute and, where required, dilute the powder. It is usually given into a vein by injection or infusion, but deep intramuscular injection may be appropriate. Food instructions do not apply.
Do not prepare, mix or administer it yourself unless specifically trained and supported by the treating service.
Tell staff about previous reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems or monobactams.
Report pain, redness or swelling around the administration site.
ceftazidime pentahydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Rash or hives
- Inflammation of a vein after intravenous administration
- Pain or inflammation after intramuscular injection
- Temporary changes in liver enzymes or blood-cell test results
- A positive Coombs test, which can affect blood cross-matching
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including breathing difficulty, swelling or low blood pressure
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread skin reactions
- Antibiotic-associated colitis, particularly severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea
- Tremor, jerking movements, confusion, encephalopathy or seizures, especially when renal clearance is reduced
- Acute kidney injury, interstitial nephritis, severe blood-cell disorders or haemolytic anaemia
ceftazidime pentahydrate in pregnancy
Experience specifically with ceftazidime during pregnancy is limited, so the prescriber should balance effective infection treatment against possible risks. Wider evidence about cephalosporins is generally reassuring, with most studies not showing harm to the baby.
ceftazidime pentahydrate while breastfeeding
Ceftazidime passes into breast milk in small quantities. The selected product information states that effects on a breastfed infant are not anticipated and that it can be used during breastfeeding. Discuss a premature or unwell infant with the clinical team.
ceftazidime pentahydrate interactions
Tell the treating team about all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products. Important considerations include:
Aminoglycosides and other nephrotoxic medicines
Concurrent use may increase the risk of impaired kidney function and require closer monitoring.
Potent diuretics such as furosemide
Concurrent treatment may adversely affect renal function.
Chloramphenicol
Laboratory antagonism has been observed; its clinical relevance is uncertain.
Common questions about ceftazidime pentahydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ceftazidime pentahydrate a penicillin?
No. It is a cephalosporin beta-lactam antibiotic. Severe previous reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactams may still make it unsuitable.
Does it treat Pseudomonas infections?
It can treat infections caused by susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but resistance occurs, so culture and susceptibility results are important.
Does it work against viruses?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.