Ceftazidime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Ceftazidime injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Ceftazidime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftazidime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, if you are malnourished, or if you are allergic to penicillin.

Ceftazidime can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using ceftazidime.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Ceftazidime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ceftazidime.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftazidime, or to similar antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Ceclor);

• cefadroxil (Duricef);

• cefazolin (Ancef);

• cefdinir (Omnicef);

• cefditoren (Spectracef);

• cefprozil (Cefzil);

• ceftibuten (Cedax);

• cefuroxime (Ceftin);

• cephradine (Velosef);

• cephalexin (Keflex); and others.

To make sure you can safely use ceftazidime, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;

• diabetes;

• congestive heart failure;

• if you are allergic to penicillin;

• cancer;

• if you are malnourished; or

• if you have had a very recent surgery or medical emergency.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Ceftazidime can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using ceftazidime.

Ceftazidime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.