Ceftazidime

Antibiotic Class:

Third-Generation Cephalosporin

Antimicrobial Spectrum:

Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria meningitides, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, E. Coli, P. aeruginosa

Mechanism of Action:

Cephalosporins exert bactericidal activity by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis and inhibiting cross-linking of the peptidoglycan. The cephalosporins are also thought to play a role in the activation of bacterical cell autolysins which may contribute to bacterial cell lysis.

Pharmacodynamics:

Cephalosporins exhibit time-dependent killing (T > MIC)

Pharmacokinetics:

Dose of 1g: Cmax: 83 mcg/L; Half-life: 1.8 hours; Volume of distribution: 13.6L; Table 11

Adverse Effects:

Hypersensitivity: Maculopapular rash, Urticaria, Pruritis, Anaphylaxis/angioedema, eosinophilia

Hematologic: Hypoprothrombinemia, Neutropenia, Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia

GI: Diarrhea, C. difficile disease

Renal: Interstitial nephritis

Table 14

Dosage:

IV: 1g, 2g, 6g, 10g, 500mg

Dosing in adults:

Bone and/or joint infection: 2 g IV q12h

Intra-abdominal infection: 2 g IV q8h

Meningitis: 2g IV q8h

Pneumonia: 0.5-1g IV q8h

Uncomplicated UTI: 250mg IV/IM q12h

Complicated UTI: 500mg IV/IM q8-12h

Dosing in pediatrics:

75-150mg/kg/day divided q8h

Table 12

Disease state based dosing:

Renal failure:  CrCl > 50mL/min: standard dosing

                       CrCl 30-50mL/min: 1g q12h

                       CrCl 10-29mL/min: 1g q24h

                       CrCl < 10mL/min: 1g q48h

Hepatic failure:  No dosing changes recommended at this time.

Dosing during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

CVVH (Continuous venovenous hemofiltration): 1-2g IV q12h

CVVHD (Continuous venovenous hemodialysis): 2g IV q12h

CVVHDF (Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration) 2g IV q12h

Note: CVVH is mainly for fluid removal alone. Many institutions will employ more CVVHD or CVVHDF which combine dialysis with fluid removal.

Contraindications/Warnings/Precautions:

Precautions: hypersensitivity to penicillins, history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis, renal impairment, risk factors for altered prothrombin time (renal or hepatic impairment, poor nutritional status, prolonged course of antibiotic therapy)

Drug Interactions:

Chloramphenicol: decreased ceftazidime effectiveness

Live Typhoid Vaccine: decreased immunological response to the typhoid vaccine

Pregnancy:

Category B: No evidence of risk in humans but studies inadequate.

Monitoring Requirements:

Therapeutic:  Culture and sensitivities, serum levels, signs and symptoms of infection, white blood cell count

Toxic:  Urinalysis, BUN, SCr, AST and ALT, skin rash, Neutropenia and leukopenia, Prothrombin time in patients with renal or hepatic impairment or poor nutritional state, as well as patients receiving a protracted course of antimicrobial therapy, and patients previously stabilized on anticoagulant therapy.

Brand names/Manufacturer: 

CeptazÒ/Glaxo Smith Kline; FortazÒ/Glaxo Smith Kline; TazicefÒ/Bristol-Myers Squibb; TazidimeÒ/Eli Lilly;