Ceftazidime
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Ceftazidime for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(sef-taz-i-deem)
Description:
This medicine is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Ceftaz®
- Fortaz®
- Tazicef®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: there are no veterinary-labeled forms.
- For people: it comes in vials of 500 mg, 1 gram, 2 gram, and 10 gram.
Antimicrobial Classification:
Critically Important
This information page does not include every detail that exists about this medicine, and it has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you still have questions or need additional details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine has to be given by injection (a shot). If it is swallowed, it will not work.
- When injected into a muscle, it is painful.
- After the medicine is prepared (mixed), keep it in the refrigerator. Do not use the mixed liquid after 7 days.
How is this medication useful?
Ceftazidime is used for severe infections in dogs, cats, and reptiles. For reptiles, it can be helpful because the shot may only be needed every few days.
This medicine is approved by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) for people, but it is not officially approved for animals. In some situations, the FDA allows veterinarians to prescribe medicines containing this drug for different animal species or for conditions not listed on the human approval. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best choice.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect how ceftazidime works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products, and also tell them the dose and the time you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had treatment for the same illness or problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past. This includes allergic-type reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine should begin working within 1 to 2 hours, even though you may not be able to see changes right away. Your animal should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
The medicine does not last long in the body. It stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal fits any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- That have an allergy to this medicine or to similar medicines (for example, other cephalosporins).
- That have kidney failure.
- That have an allergy to other beta-lactam medicines such as penicillin.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If you notice the signs listed below, you usually do not need to panic unless they are severe, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Diarrhea, vomiting, and not wanting to eat.
- Swelling where the shot was given.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Fever, skin rashes, trouble breathing, and pale gums can be signs of an allergic reaction to this medicine.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much ceftazidime can be dangerous. It can lead to anemias (problems with red blood cells) and can harm the kidneys and the nervous system. If you see or think an overdose has happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work correctly, give it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed. It is smart to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it the right way.
Giving by Injection:
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist will provide what you need to give the injections (for example, needles and syringes). If the medicine must be prepared (mixed) before use, prepare it exactly as your veterinarian or pharmacist instructs.
- Each time you mix a vial or give a shot, use a fresh needle and a fresh syringe. Do not use needles or syringes again.
- When you prepare the medicine, it is important to avoid building up pressure inside the vial. Your pharmacist or veterinarian will show you how to add the mixing liquid in a way that prevents the liquid from spraying back out.
- After you add the mixing liquid, shake the vial until the liquid looks clear.
- Because this medicine must be given as a shot, make sure you fully understand the correct dose, where to give the shot, and the correct way to give it.
- Ceftazidime shots can sting. If your animal reacts strongly to the injections, your veterinarian may be able to provide something to combine with the medicine to reduce or prevent the stinging.
- This medicine may be prescribed for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
- If you are giving injections at home, put used needles and syringes into a sharps container right after use. Your veterinarian or pharmacist will help you get these containers. Avoid accidentally poking yourself. Do not try to remove the needle from the syringe. Keep the container where children and pets cannot reach it. When the container is about three-quarters full, throw it away following your local rules. Ask your local trash service or your health department about disposal options in your area.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, do not give the missed one; instead, give the next dose at the regular time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the container it came in from the pharmacy.
- Vials that have not been mixed can be kept at room temperature and protected from light. After the medicine is mixed into a liquid, it must be kept in the refrigerator and used within 7 days. Do not use any mixed liquid after that time.
- Ceftazidime liquid breaks down quickly if it is not prepared and stored exactly as directed.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot get to it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special safety steps are needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it. After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into a toilet or down a sink.
- If your community has a medicine “take-back” program, use that.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash. Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions do not allow the use of this medicine. Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”