Ceftazidime and Avibactam

Ceftazidime/avibactam is a prescription medication used to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections, including kidney infections. It can also be used to treat hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. 

It is a single product containing 2 medications: ceftazidime and avibactam. Ceftazidime belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. These work by stopping the growth of bacteria. Avibactam belongs to a group of drugs called non-beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitors. These work by inhibiting the enzymes in bacteria that provide resistance to antibiotics. In this combination, avibactam allows the ceftazidime to work more effectively.

This medication is available as an injection and is given into the vein (intravenous (IV)) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of ceftazidime/avibactam include vomiting, nausea, constipation and anxiety. Ceftazidime/avibactam may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you now how ceftazidime/avibactam affects you.

Ceftazidime/avibactam is a prescription medication used to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections, including kidney infections. It can also be used to treat hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. 

Ceftazidime/avibactam is given with metronidazole when treating intra-abdominal infections.

Ceftazidime/avibactam should only be used in patients with no or limited alternative treatment options.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Ceftazidime and Avibactam may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Avycaz

Serious side effects have been reported with ceftazidime/avibactam. See the “Ceftazidime/avibactam Precautions” section.

Common side effects of ceftazidime/avibactam include the following:

• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• anxiety

This is not a complete list of ceftazidime/avibactam side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take probenecid (Probalan)

This is not a complete list of ceftazidime/avibactam drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with ceftazidime/avibactam including the following:

• Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and skin reactions
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
• Central nervous system reactions, including seizures and other neurological events

Ceftazidime/avibactam may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you now how ceftazidime/avibactam affects you.

Do not take ceftazidime/avibactam if you are allergic to ceftazidime/avibactam or to any of its ingredients. 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of ceftazidime/avibactam, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking ceftazidime/avibactam, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to ceftazidime/avibactam or to any of its ingedients
• are allergic to other antibiotics, especially penicillins and cephalosporins
• have kidney disease
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Ceftazidime/avibactam falls into category B. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given ceftazidime and avibactam, and some babies had minor problems. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with ceftazidime/avibactam.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Ceftazidime has been detected in human breast milk. It is not known if avibactam crosses into human milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from the combination medication ceftazidime/avibactam, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

This medication is available in injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• how well your kidneys work
• other medical conditions you have

The recommended dose of ceftazidime/avibactam is 2.5 grams administered intravenously every 8 hours. The dose and frquency will change based on how well your kisney work. 

Treatment should continue for up to 14 days. The duration of treatmet will depend on the infection being treated.

Since ceftazidime/avibactam is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.