Ceftazidime 2mg/0.1ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes

Ceftazidime is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that is bactericidal through inhibition of enzymes responsible for cell-wall synthesis, primarily penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3).[L32935] Among cephalosporins, ceftazidime is notable for its resistance to numerous β-lactamases and its broad spectrum of activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.[A232935] However, it is less active than first- and second-generation cephalosporins against Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-positive bacteria and also has low activity against anaerobes.[A232935][A233160] Ceftazidime has confirmed activity against clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria including Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., _Serratia spp., Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and some Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. There are also in vitro data for ceftazidime efficacy against a wide variety of other bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but no clear clinical studies to support the use of ceftazidime for infections caused by these bacteria.[L32935]

Although β-lactam antibiotics like ceftazidime are generally well tolerated, there remains a risk of serious acute hypersensitivity reactions, which is higher in patients with a known allergy to ceftazidime or any other β-lactam antibiotic. As with all antibiotics, ceftazidime may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms and potentially serious effects including Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD); CDAD should be considered in patients who develop diarrhea and, in confirmed cases, supportive care initiated immediately. Ceftazidime is primarily renally excreted such that high and prolonged serum concentrations can occur in patients with renal insufficiency, leading to seizures, nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), encephalopathy, coma, asterixis, neuromuscular excitability, and myoclonia. Treatment may lead to the development or induction of resistance with a risk of treatment failure. Periodic susceptibility testing should be considered, and monotherapy failure may necessitate the addition of another antibiotic such as an aminoglycoside. Cephalosporin use may decrease prothrombin activity, which may be improved by exogenous vitamin K. Inadvertent intra-arterial administration of ceftazidime may result in distal necrosis.[L32935]