Ceftazidime : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Ceftazidime is the third generation cephalosporins. It is used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections such as- joint infections, meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, UTI, malignant otitis externa, & pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
Dose : 0.5-2 g i.m. or i.v. every 8 hr, children 30 mg/kg/ day (Resistant typhoid 30 mg/kg/day)
Route : IM, IV, Inhalation (off-label only)
Onset of action : ?
Plasma Half-life : 1.5-1.8 hours
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : 91% (IM)
Plasma protein binding : <10%
Metabolism : Negligible
Pregnancy risk category : B
Chemical formula : C22H22N6O7S2
IUPAC name : (6R,7R,Z)-7-(2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(2-carboxypropan-2-yloxyimino)acetamido)-8-oxo-3-(pyridinium-1-ylmethyl)-5-thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate
Trade name : Fortaz, Fortum, Cefazid, Orzid, Tazicef, Ceptaz, Tazicef Novaplus, Tazidime
Antibacterial spectrum : Ceftazidime has high activity against Pseudomonas. Its activity against Enterobacteriaceae is similar to that of cefotaxime, but it is less active on Staph. aureus, other gram positive cocci and anaerobes like Bact. fragilis.
Therapeutic uses : Ceftazidime is specifically used in febrile neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies, bum, etc.
Ceftazidime is indicated for the treatment of patients with infections caused by susceptible organisms in the following diseases:
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, including pneumonia.
- Skin and Skin-Structure Infections.
- Urinary Tract Infections (complicated and uncomplicated).
- Bone and Joint Infections.
- Gynecologic Infections, including endometritis.
- Intra-abdominal Infections, including peritonitis.
- Bacterial Septicemia.
- CNS Infections, including meningitis.
Mechanism of action : Cephalosporins cause inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. i.e. they have the same mechanism of action as penicillin. However, they bind to different proteins than those which bind penicillins.
Side effects : Cephalosporins are generally well tolerated, but are more toxic than penicillin. Ceftazidime may provoke following side effects :
- Neutropenia,
- Thrombocytopenia,
- Rise in plasma transaminases,
- Blood urea,
- Phlebitis and inflammation at the site of injection,
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as pruritus, rash, and fever,
- Diarrhea, nausea,
- Headache, dizziness, and paresthesia.
Drug Interactions : Ceftazidime may interact with following drugs :
- Aminoglycosides : Nephrotoxicity
- Potent diuretics (furosemide) : Nephrotoxicity
Contraindications :
- Contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
