[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/) › Ceftazidime [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/) # Ceftazidime A third-generation intravenous cephalosporin with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for serious hospital infections. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/) - Enzyme: Penicillin-binding proteins, mainly PBP3 - ATC code: J01DD02 - WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ✂**Penicillin-binding proteins, mainly PBP3**Ceftazidime ⓘ The figure shows PBP3 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa acylated by ceftazidime, bonded to the active-site serine. **Target in 3D:** Penicillin-binding proteins, mainly PBP3. PDB structure 3PBO (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/3PBO) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Ceftazidime acylates the PBPs, mainly PBP3 of gram-negative rods. Its side chain makes it stable to many β-lactamases and lets it cross the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: it is the third-generation cephalosporin with useful activity against this organism. In exchange, it is weak against gram-positives such as staphylococci. ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases hydrolyse it. - Crosses the Pseudomonas outer membrane - Acylates PBP3, which builds the division septum - The bacterium grows into filaments without dividing - The wall fails and the bacterium lyses ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Intravenous or intramuscular. **Distribution** Low protein binding; reaches the cerebrospinal fluid when the meninges are inflamed. **Elimination** Almost only by the kidney, unchanged; adjusted in kidney failure. **Half-life** About 2 hours; much longer when kidney function is reduced. ## Indications - Hospital-acquired pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections due to Pseudomonas and other gram-negatives. - Complicated urinary tract infections. [Urinary tract infection (acute cystitis) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/urinary-tract-infection/) - Sepsis due to susceptible gram-negatives. [Sepsis and septic shock →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sepsis-and-septic-shock/) - Meningitis due to Pseudomonas or other susceptible gram-negatives. [Bacterial meningitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bacterial-meningitis/) - Bone and joint infections due to gram-negatives. [Osteomyelitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/osteomyelitis/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Phlebitis or injection-site pain - Diarrhoea, nausea - Rash, eosinophilia, positive Coombs test ### Serious (rare, important) - Anaphylaxis - Clostridioides difficile diarrhoea, from mild to severe colitis - Neurotoxicity if it accumulates in kidney failure: encephalopathy, myoclonus, seizures and non-convulsive status epilepticus ## Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to ceftazidime or other cephalosporins ## Key interactions **Aminoglycosides and potent diuretics such as furosemide** Higher risk of kidney toxicity; kidney function is monitored. **Chloramphenicol** Antagonism in vitro; the combination is avoided. **Oral anticoagulants (warfarin)** Cephalosporins can lower prothrombin activity; the INR is monitored. ## What is monitored - Creatinine and urine output - Neurological status in kidney failure - Cultures and susceptibility tests ## Administration and safety - Intravenous or deep intramuscular. - Do not confuse ceftazidime with ceftriaxone or with ceftazidime + avibactam. ## Nursing care - Before the first dose: ask about allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins and other β-lactams, and what the reaction was. - In kidney failure, watch for confusion, myoclonus or seizures (drug accumulation). - Monitor urine output and creatinine, more so with aminoglycosides. - Teach the patient to report watery or bloody diarrhoea, even weeks after the course ends. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Animal studies showed no fetal harm and there are no controlled studies in pregnant women; used if clearly needed. ## Memory aid 'CefTAZidime takes on Pseudomonas': the third-generation agent that does reach Pseudomonas but barely touches gram-positives. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## How does ceftazidime's spectrum differ from ceftriaxone's? Ceftazidime is active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but weak against gram-positives; ceftriaxone covers pneumococci and streptococci well but not Pseudomonas. ## A patient with kidney failure on ceftazidime develops confusion and myoclonus. What is suspected? Neurotoxicity from drug accumulation (encephalopathy, myoclonus, even non-convulsive status epilepticus); the dose is reviewed against kidney function. ## Which bacterial enzymes inactivate ceftazidime? Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC enzymes and carbapenemases; that is why it was combined with avibactam. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ceftazidime/) ## Related drugs - [Cefepime](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cefepime/) - [Ceftazidime + avibactam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftazidime-avibactam/) - [Piperacillin + tazobactam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/piperacillin-tazobactam/) - [Ceftriaxone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftriaxone/) ## Related conditions - [Urinary tract infection (acute cystitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/urinary-tract-infection/) - [Sepsis and septic shock](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sepsis-and-septic-shock/) - [Bacterial meningitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bacterial-meningitis/) - [Osteomyelitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/osteomyelitis/) [← Back to the class: Beta-lactams](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-lactams/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Ceftazidime Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a686007.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - CEFTAZIDIME injection, powder, for solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=22d6534c-4488-48a1-8d78-e2fb908259de) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 3PBO: Crystal structure of PBP3 complexed with ceftazidime](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/3PBO) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), cap. 43 (McGraw Hill, 2025). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftazidime/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ceftazidime/