Ceftazidime and Avibactam Injection

(sef taz'' i deem) and (a vi bak' tam)

Brand Name(s): Avycaz^®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

The combination of ceftazidime and avibactam injection is used with metronidazole (Flagyl) to treat abdominal (stomach area) infections. It is also used to treat pneumonia that developed in people who are on ventilators or who were in a hospital, and kidney and urinary tract infections. Ceftazidime is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Avibactam is in a class of medications called beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by preventing bacteria from breaking down ceftazidime.

Antibiotics such as ceftazidime and avibactam will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

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

HOW should this medicine be used?

The combination of ceftazidime and avibactam injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually infused (injected slowly) intravenously over a period of 2 hours every 8 hours. The length of your treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection you have and how well you respond to the medication. Your doctor will tell you how long to use ceftazidime and avibactam injection. You may receive ceftazidime and avibactam injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving ceftazidime and avibactam injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with ceftazidime and avibactam injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, tell your doctor. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish ceftazidime and avibactam injection, tell your doctor.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using ceftazidime and avibactam injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ceftazidime and avibactam injection, carbapenem antibiotics such as doripenem (Doribax), imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem); cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin; any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ceftazidime and avibactam injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using ceftazidime and avibactam injection, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Ceftazidime and avibactam injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing
• severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment)
• seizures
• confusion
• sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
• hand tremor
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist
• coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

Ceftazidime and avibactam injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to ceftazidime and avibactam injection.

If you have diabetes, ceftazidime and avibactam injection can cause false results with certain urine glucose tests. Talk to your doctor about which glucose tests you can use during your treatment with ceftazidime and avibactam injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: April 15, 2018.