Fortaz

Generic name: Ceftazidime (injection)
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Usage of Fortaz

Ceftazidime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that 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.

Fortaz side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, itching, feeling light-headed, wheezing, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Fortaz may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, or weakness;

confusion, hallucinations, severe weakness;

involuntary muscle movement;

seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

a cold feeling, discoloration, or skin changes in your fingers.

Common side effects of Fortaz may include:

allergic reaction;

numbness, tingling, burning pain;

headache, dizziness;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; or

signs of a fungal infection--sores or white patches in your mouth or throat, vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Fortaz

Ceftazidime can cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. You should not use Fortaz if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic, such as:

cefadroxil, cefdinir, cefoxitin, cefprozil, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cephalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others;

avibactam, relebactam, sulbactam, tazobactam, vaborbactam, and others; or

amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag), ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an allergy to any drug (especially penicillin);

kidney disease;

liver disease;

bleeding problems; or

if you are malnourished.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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How to use Fortaz

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Ceftazidime is injected into a vein.

If you use this medicine at home, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks has changed colors or has particles in it.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ceftazidime.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Ceftazidime will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

Store the IV bag in a refrigerator and use it within 3 days. Do not freeze.

Take the bag out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature before using. The medicine must be used within 12 hours once it reaches room temperature.

Warnings

Ceftazidime can cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to an antibiotic, especially penicillin.

What other drugs will affect Fortaz

Other drugs may affect ceftazidime, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.