Ceftazidime Is NOT Available Orally
Ceftazidime is administered exclusively by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection and has no oral formulation. 1, 2
Route of Administration
- Ceftazidime must be given parenterally (IV or IM) because it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally 1, 2
- All clinical guidelines and studies consistently specify IV or IM administration only, with recommended dosing of 150-250 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 doses (maximum 12 g/day) for serious infections 1
- The drug can be administered either as intermittent boluses or by continuous infusion 1
Oral Alternatives to Ceftazidime
If oral therapy is clinically appropriate, consider these alternatives:
Ciprofloxacin is the most commonly studied oral alternative, with demonstrated comparable efficacy to IV ceftazidime in serious infections 3, 4
Cefixime 400 mg orally is an oral third-generation cephalosporin with similar antimicrobial spectrum to ceftazidime, though it provides lower and less sustained bactericidal levels 1, 5
Clinical Context
- The lack of oral bioavailability is a characteristic shared by most parenteral cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone 5
- When oral therapy is desired for step-down treatment after initial IV therapy, fluoroquinolones (particularly ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) are the preferred alternatives for Gram-negative coverage 1
- For pregnant patients requiring ceftazidime, IV administration remains necessary, as the drug is considered compatible during pregnancy (Category B1) 1