Antimicrobials

Active against:

• Most aerobic gram-negative bacilli, including P. aeruginosa

Not active against:

• Streptococci, staphylococci, enterococci, anaerobes, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Listeria

Appropriate Uses:

• Empiric therapy for gram-negative meningitis where P. aeruginosa is suspected
• Treatment of select cases of febrile neutropenia

Inappropriate Uses:

• Surgical prophylaxis
• Combination therapy with another beta-lactam (e.g., piperacillin)

• The potential for cross-reactivity exists among penicillins, cephalosporins and meropenem
• Beta-lactamase resistance in gram-negative rods may develop during therapy with ceftazidime
• Pregnancy: not expected to increase risk of major congenital malformations
• Breastfeeding: considered safe during breastfeeding. Monitor nursing infant for GI symptoms.

• Hypersensitivity: drug fever, skin rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis
• Hematologic: positive Coombs test, rarely thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
• Hepatic/Renal: transient rise in AST, ALT, and urea nitrogen (no clinical evidence of renal impairment)
• Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral candidiasis, rarely pseudomembranous colitis
• CNS: seizures at high dosage, particularly in patients with compromised renal function

• Usual dosage: 2 g every 8 hours
• Orders for a dose of less than 2 g will be automatically converted to a dose of 2 g to be given at the specified dosing interval (exception: dosing must be individualized in renal insufficiency)
• Renal insufficiency: See table

• Direct Injection: not recommended (unless severe fluid restriction)
• Intermittent Infusion: usual infusion duration is 15 – 30 minutes
• Continuous Infusion: 2 g IV q8h, each dose infused over 8 h
• Please refer to IV drug monograph on pharmacy intranet page for additional administration information.