Ceftazidime
- Generic name
- ceftazidime
- Brand names
- Fortaz (US), Fortum (UK, Australia)
- Drug class
- Third-Generation Cephalosporin Antibiotic (anti-pseudomonal)
- Form
- Powder for injection (500 mg, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 6 g, 10 g vials)
- Route
- Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection ONLY — there is no oral form of ceftazidime.
- Legal status
- Prescription only, hospital/clinician-administered. Confirmed Authorised in all 5 countries checked.
Supply Rules Vary
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand
Australia: Fortum (4) · Full directory
What ceftazidime is and how it works
Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection to treat serious bacterial infections, including infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa — a bacterium many other antibiotics don't cover well. (1)
This medicine is administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinical setting — it is never self-administered at home. People with reduced kidney function need a lower dose and closer monitoring because of a real, serious risk of seizures and other nervous-system effects if the drug builds up.
Mechanism of action: how ceftazidime works
Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin with activity against many gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Half-life ~1.9 hours; less than 10% protein-bound; 80-90% excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours — the basis for its strict renal dose adjustment. (1)
What ceftazidime is used for
Serious bacterial infections
Treats lower respiratory tract, skin/soft tissue, urinary tract, bloodstream (septicemia), bone/joint, gynecologic, intra-abdominal, and central nervous system infections (including meningitis) caused by susceptible bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (1)
Before taking ceftazidime
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Should not be given to patients with known hypersensitivity to ceftazidime or other cephalosporin antibiotics. (hypersensitivity) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any allergy to penicillin or other antibiotics.
- Any kidney disease — dosing depends heavily on kidney function.
- If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- All other medicines you take, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics, chloramphenicol, or oral contraceptives.
How to take ceftazidime
- Ceftazidime is given by a healthcare professional as an injection into a vein or muscle, in a hospital or clinical setting — there is no oral form and no home self-administration.
- The standard adult dose is 1 gram every 8-12 hours, adjusted for kidney function.
- The full prescribed course should be completed as directed by the treating clinician.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Missed dose
Not applicable — dosing is managed entirely by the treating clinical team.
Overdose
Reported in the context of renal failure: seizures, encephalopathy, coma, and neuromuscular excitability. Treatment is supportive; hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis may help remove the drug from the body. This is managed entirely by the clinical team since the medicine is only given in a clinical setting. (1)
Side effects
Injection-site irritation and digestive symptoms are the most common effects.
Phlebitis (vein irritation), rash, itching, diarrhea, nausea
What to notice: These are the most commonly reported effects.
What to do: The clinical team monitors for these during treatment. (1)
C. difficile-associated diarrhea
What to notice: Watery or bloody diarrhea, which can occur during treatment or up to 2 months afterward.
What to do: Report to the clinical team promptly. (1)
Neurological symptoms, especially with kidney impairment
What to notice: Seizures, confusion, abnormal muscle movements, or reduced consciousness.
What to do: This requires immediate clinical assessment and is closely monitored for by the treating team, especially in patients with reduced kidney function. (1)
Serious warnings
Neurotoxicity in renal impairment — real, serious, dose-related — serious
Symptoms: Seizures, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, encephalopathy, coma, abnormal muscle jerking (myoclonia), and neuromuscular excitability can occur if ceftazidime builds up in patients with reduced kidney function.
Action: Dosing is adjusted based on kidney function specifically to prevent this; any of these symptoms during treatment requires immediate clinical assessment. (1)
C. difficile-associated diarrhea — serious
Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhea, potentially severe, up to 2 months after treatment.
Action: Report to the clinical team promptly. (1)
Serious allergic/skin reactions — emergency
Symptoms: Anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare but serious skin reactions).
Action: Emergency clinical management; the treating team monitors for these. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Aminoglycoside antibiotics | Increased risk of kidney toxicity when combined. | The clinical team gives these separately and monitors kidney function closely. (1) |
| Chloramphenicol | May antagonize (work against) ceftazidime's effect. | This combination is generally avoided. (1) |
| Oral contraceptives | Possible reduced contraceptive efficacy. | Discuss backup contraception with your clinician during treatment. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Renal impairment — dose adjustment is essential
Because ceftazidime is mainly cleared by the kidneys, dosing must be reduced according to kidney function to avoid a real, serious risk of seizures and other neurological effects. The treating team uses a specific dose-reduction schedule based on creatinine clearance. (1)
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is needed based on liver function alone, provided kidney function is normal. (1)
Pregnancy
Animal studies have not shown fetal harm, but there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. (1)
Breastfeeding
Ceftazidime passes into breast milk in low concentrations. Caution is advised, and this should be discussed with the treating clinician. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Review kidney function — this determines the dose.
- Review any penicillin/cephalosporin allergy history.
- Review other current medicines, especially aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, and oral contraceptives.
During treatment
- Monitor kidney function throughout treatment, especially in patients with pre-existing impairment.
- Watch for neurological symptoms (confusion, seizures) especially in renal impairment.
- Watch for diarrhea, including delayed-onset diarrhea after treatment ends.
Storage
Stored and prepared by pharmacy/clinical staff per institutional protocols — not a patient-managed storage item.
Study the drug class: Cephalosporins
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Non-US product, brand, and supply information is limited to what is explicitly documented in country-brand-verification.json and country-supply-classification.json.
United States
Indication: Full real indication list above
Dose summary: Standard 1g IV/IM q8-12h. Renal dose reduction: CrCl 50-31: 1g q12h; CrCl 30-16: 1g q24h; CrCl 15-6: 500mg q24h; CrCl <5: 500mg q48h.
Renal context: See dose table above — essential, not optional, given the real seizure/neurotoxicity risk. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Authorised — 66 MHRA files.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (3)
Australia
Indication: Authorised — Fortum, ARTG-registered since 1991.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (4)
Canada
Indication: Authorised — 23 real DPD-listed vial products.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (2)
New Zealand
Indication: Authorised — two current Medsafe data sheets confirmed (Ceftazidime-AFT, Ceftazidime Kabi).
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (5)
Hepatic guidance
No adjustment needed for hepatic dysfunction alone if renal function is normal.
Overdose note
Seizures/encephalopathy in renal failure context; supportive care; dialysis may help remove the drug. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is ceftazidime a pill or an injection?
Ceftazidime is only given by injection (into a vein or muscle) in a hospital or clinical setting. There is no oral (tablet or capsule) form of this medicine. (1)
Why does kidney function matter so much for this medicine?
Ceftazidime is cleared almost entirely by the kidneys. If kidney function is reduced and the dose isn't adjusted, the drug can build up to levels that cause seizures and other serious nervous-system effects. This is why dosing is carefully calculated based on kidney function. (1)
What is ceftazidime used for?
It treats serious bacterial infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, affecting the lungs, skin, urinary tract, bloodstream, bones/joints, abdomen, and central nervous system (including meningitis). (1)
What is the mechanism of action of ceftazidime?
Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin with activity against many gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Half-life ~1.9 hours; less than 10% protein-bound; 80-90% excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours — the basis for its strict renal dose adjustment. (1)
What is the generic name of Ceftazidime?
The generic name is ceftazidime. It is sold under brand names including Fortaz (US), Fortum (UK, Australia). (1)
What class of drug is ceftazidime?
Ceftazidime is classed as: Third-Generation Cephalosporin Antibiotic (anti-pseudomonal). (1)
References
- FORTAZ (ceftazidime for injection) — prescribing informationDailyMed / FDA · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
- DPD active-ingredient query for ceftazidime (23 products, all vial dosage units)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
- CEFTAZIDIME PENTAHYDRATE substance page (66 files)MHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
- FORTUM ceftazidime 2g powder for injection — ARTG entry (registered 1991-08-13)Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia) · Australia · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
- Ceftazidime-AFT and Ceftazidime Kabi — current New Zealand Data SheetsMedsafe (New Zealand) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient ceftazidime names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- TAZICEF2 g, 1 g, 6 g · hospira, inc.
United Kingdom
- Ceftazidime (generic, multiple) (3)MHRA licensed 66 files · 2 g · multiple
Canada
- FORTAZ - INJ
Australia
- Fortum (4)ARTG registered 1991 · 2 g · Aspen Pharmacare Australia
New Zealand
- Ceftazidime-AFT; Ceftazidime Kabi (5)current medsafe data sheets two manufacturers · not specified in fetched source · AFT; Fresenius Kabi