Ceftazidime

Description

DESCRIPTION Ceftazidime is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, beta-lactam antibacterial drug for parenteral administration. It is the pentahydrate of pyridinium, 1-[[7-[[(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)[(1-carboxy-1-methylethoxy) imino]acetyl]amino]-2-carboxy-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-en-3-yl]methyl]-, hydroxide, inner salt, [6R-[6α,7β(Z)]]. It has the following structure: The molecular formula is C 22 H 32 N 6 O 12 S 2 , representing a molecular weight of 636.6. Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) is a sterile, dry-powdered mixture of ceftazidime pentahydrate and sodium carbonate. The sodium carbonate at a concentration of 118 mg/g of ceftazidime activity has been admixed to facilitate dissolution. The total sodium content of the mixture is approximately 51 mg (2.2 mEq)/g of ceftazidime activity. Tazicef in sterile crystalline form is supplied in ADD-Vantage ® vials equivalent to 1 g or 2 g of anhydrous ceftazidime. Solutions of Tazicef range in color from light yellow to amber, depending on the diluent and volume used. The pH of freshly constituted solutions usually ranges from 5 to 7.5. Chemical Structure

What Is Ceftazidime Used For?

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) is indicated for the treatment of patients with infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the following diseases: 1. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, including pneumonia, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other Pseudomonas spp.; Haemophilus influenzae , including ampicillin-resistant strains; Klebsiella spp.; Enterobacter spp.; Proteus mirabilis ; Escherichia coli ; Serratia spp.; Citrobacter spp.; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; and Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains). 2. Skin and Skin-Structure Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Klebsiella spp.; Escherichia coli ; Proteus spp., including Proteus mirabilis and indole-positive Proteus ; Enterobacter spp.; Serratia spp.; Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains); and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A beta-hemolytic streptococci). 3. Urinary Tract Infections, both complicated and uncomplicated, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Enterobacter spp.; Proteus spp., including Proteus mirabilis and indole-positive Proteus ; Klebsiella spp.; and Escherichia coli . 4. Bacterial Septicemia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella spp., Haemophilus influenzae , Escherichia coli , Serratia spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae , and Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains). 5. Bone and Joint Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains). 6. Gynecologic Infections, including endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, and other infections of the female genital tract caused by Escherichia coli . 7. Intra-abdominal Infections, including peritonitis caused by Escherichia coli , Klebsiella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains) and polymicrobial infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic organisms and Bacteroides spp. (many strains of Bacteroides fragilis are resistant). 8. Central Nervous System Infections, including meningitis, caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis . Ceftazidime has also been used successfully in a limited number of cases of meningitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae . Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) may be used alone in cases of confirmed or suspected sepsis. Ceftazidime has been used successfully in clinical trials as empiric therapy in cases where various concomitant therapies with other antibacterial drugs have been used. Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) may also be used concomitantly with other antibacterial drugs, such as aminoglycosides, vancomycin, and clindamycin; in severe and life-threatening infections; and in the immunocompromised patient. When such concomitant treatment is appropriate, prescribing information in the labeling for the other antibacterial drugs should be followed. The dose depends on the severity of the infection and the patient's condition. To...

Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosage The usual adult dosage is 1 gram administered intravenously every 8 to 12 hours. The dosage and route should be determined by the susceptibility of the causative organisms, the severity of infection, and the condition and renal function of the patient. The guidelines for dosage of Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) are listed in Table 3 . The following dosage schedule is recommended. Table 3. Recommended Dosage Schedule Dose Frequency Adult Usual recommended dosage 1 gram intravenous every 8 to 12 hours Uncomplicated urinary tract infection 250 mg intravenous every 12 hours Bone and joint infections 2 grams intravenous every 12 hours Complicated urinary tract infections 500 mg intravenous every 8 to 12 hours Uncomplicated pneumonia; mild skin and skin-structure infections 500 mg to 1 gram intravenous every 8 hours Serious gynecological and intra-abdominal infections 2 grams intravenous every 8 hours Meningitis 2 grams intravenous every 8 hours Very severe life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised patients 2 grams intravenous every 8 hours Lung infections caused by Pseudomonas spp. in patients with cystic fibrosis with normal renal function Although clinical improvement has been shown, bacteriologic cures cannot be expected in patients with chronic respiratory disease and cystic fibrosis. 30 to 50 mg/kg intravenous to a maximum of 6 grams per day every 8 hours Neonates (0 - 4 weeks) 30 mg/kg intravenous every 12 hours Infants and children (1 month to 12 years) 30 to 50 mg/kg intravenous to a maximum of 6 grams per day The higher dose should be reserved for immunocompromised pediatric patients or pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis or meningitis. every 8 hours Impaired Hepatic Function No adjustment in dosage is required for patients with hepatic dysfunction. Impaired Renal Function Ceftazidime is excreted by the kidneys, almost exclusively by glomerular filtration. Therefore, in patients with impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <50 mL/min), it is recommended that the dosage of ceftazidime be reduced to compensate for its slower excretion. In patients with suspected renal insufficiency, an initial loading dose of 1 gram of Tazicef may be given. An estimate of GFR should be made to determine the appropriate maintenance dosage. The recommended dosage is presented in Table 4 . Table 4. Recommended Maintenance Dosages of Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) in Renal Insufficiency NOTE: if the dose recommended in Table 3 above is lower than that recommended for patients with renal insufficiency as outlined in Table 4 , the lower dose should be used. Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) Recommended Unit Dose of Tazicef Frequency of Dosing 50 to 31 1 gram every 12 hours 30 to 16 1 gram every 24 hours 15 to 6 500 mg every 24 hours less than 5 500 mg every 48 hours When only serum creatinine is available, the following formula (Cockcroft's equation) 1 may be used to estimate...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

ADVERSE REACTIONS Ceftazidime is generally well tolerated. The incidence of adverse reactions associated with the administration of ceftazidime was low in clinical trials. The most common were local reactions following IV injection and allergic and gastrointestinal reactions. Other adverse reactions were encountered infrequently. No disulfiram-like reactions were reported. The following adverse effects from clinical trials were considered to be either related to ceftazidime therapy or were of uncertain etiology: Local Effects, reported in fewer than 2% of patients, were phlebitis and inflammation at the site of injection (1 in 69 patients). Hypersensitivity Reactions, reported in 2% of patients, were pruritus, rash, and fever. Immediate reactions, generally manifested by rash and/or pruritus, occurred in 1 in 285 patients. Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme have also been reported with cephalosporin antibacterial drugs, including ceftazidime. Angioedema and anaphylaxis (bronchospasm and/or hypotension) have been reported very rarely. Gastrointestinal Symptoms, reported in fewer than 2% of patients, were diarrhea (1 in 78), nausea (1 in 156), vomiting (1 in 500), and abdominal pain (1 in 416). The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after treatment (see WARNINGS ). Central Nervous System Reactions (fewer than 1%) included headache, dizziness, and paresthesia. Seizures have been reported with several cephalosporins, including ceftazidime. In addition, encephalopathy, coma, asterixis, neuromuscular excitability, and myoclonia have been reported in renally impaired patients treated with unadjusted dosing regimens of ceftazidime (see PRECAUTIONS: General ). Less Frequent Adverse Events (fewer than 1%) were candidiasis (including oral thrush) and vaginitis. Hematologic Rare cases of hemolytic anemia have been reported. Laboratory Test Changes noted during clinical trials with ceftazidime for injection were transient and included: eosinophilia (1 in 13), positive Coombs test without hemolysis (1 in 23), thrombocytosis (1 in 45), and slight elevations in one or more of the hepatic enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) (1 in 16), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT) (1 in 15), LDH (1 in 18), GGT (1 in 19), and alkaline phosphatase (1 in 23). As with some other cephalosporins, transient elevations of blood urea, blood urea nitrogen, and/or serum creatinine were observed occasionally. Transient leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and lymphocytosis were seen very rarely. Postmarketing Experience with Ceftazidime for Injection Products In addition to the adverse events reported during clinical trials, the following events have been observed during clinical practice in patients treated with Tazicef and were reported spontaneously. For some of these events, data are insufficient to allow an estimate of incidence or to establish causation. General Anaphylaxis; allergic reactions, which, in rare instances, were severe (e.g., cardiopulmonary arrest); urticaria; pain at injection site. Hepatobiliary Tract Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice. Renal and Genitourinary Renal impairment. Cephalosporin-Class Adverse Reactions In addition to the adverse reactions listed above that have been observed in patients treated with ceftazidime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibacterial drugs: Adverse Reactions Colitis, toxic nephropathy, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, aplastic anemia, hemorrhage. Altered Laboratory Tests Prolonged prothrombin time, false-positive test for urinary glucose, pancytopenia. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS , contact Hospira, Inc. at 1-800-441-4100, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions Nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of cephalosporins with aminoglycoside antibacterial drugs or potent diuretics such as furosemide. Renal function should be carefully monitored, especially if higher dosages of the aminoglycosides are to be administered or if therapy is prolonged, because of the potential nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminoglycoside antibacterial drugs. Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity were not noted when ceftazidime was given alone in clinical trials. Chloramphenicol has been shown to be antagonistic to beta-lactam antibacterial drugs, including ceftazidime, based on in vitro studies and time kill curves with enteric gram-negative bacilli. Due to the possibility of antagonism in vivo , particularly when bactericidal activity is desired, this drug combination should be avoided.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Tazicef is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to ceftazidime or the cephalosporin group of antibacterial drugs.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in mice and rats at doses up to 40 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Tazicef. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers Ceftazidime is excreted in human milk in low concentrations. Caution should be exercised when ceftazidime is administered to a nursing woman.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE Ceftazidime overdosage has occurred in patients with renal failure. Reactions have included seizure activity, encephalopathy, asterixis, neuromuscular excitability, and coma. Patients who receive an acute overdosage should be carefully observed and given supportive treatment. In the presence of renal insufficiency, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis may aid in the removal of ceftazidime from the body.

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED Tazicef in the dry state should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature] and protected from light. Tazicef (ceftazidime for injection, USP) is a dry, white to off-white powder supplied in ADD-Vantage ® vials as follows: Unit of Sale Concentration NDC 0409-5092-16 25 single-dose ADD-Vantage ® vials in a carton 1 g/vial NDC 0409-5093-11 10 single-dose ADD-Vantage ® vials in a carton 2 g/vial