What Antibiotic is Abbreviated Ceftaz?
Ceftaz is the abbreviation for ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with particularly potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative bacteria. 1, 2
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Identity
- Ceftazidime is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, beta-lactam antibacterial drug administered parenterally (intravenously or intramuscularly) 1
- The molecular formula is C22H22N6O7S2•5H2O with a molecular weight of 636.65 1
- It is marketed under the brand name FORTAZ (among others) and supplied as a sterile, dry-powdered mixture of ceftazidime pentahydrate and sodium carbonate 1
Classification and Spectrum
- Ceftazidime is definitively classified as a third-generation cephalosporin by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 3
- It is distinguished from fourth-generation cephalosporins, which have additional activity against AmpC-producing organisms 3
- The drug has a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic bacteria, with particular strength against Enterobacteriaceae (including beta-lactamase-positive strains) 2
Distinguishing Clinical Characteristics
Ceftazidime is presently the most active cephalosporin available against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is its primary distinguishing feature from other third-generation cephalosporins like cefotaxime and ceftriaxone 2, 4
- It is specifically recommended when Pseudomonas coverage is needed, such as in chronic suppurative otitis media or post-neurosurgical infections 3
- However, it is less active against Staphylococcus aureus than first- and second-generation cephalosporins 2
- It is inactive against Streptococcus faecalis (Enterococcus) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 5
Clinical Applications
The WHO and other guideline societies have specific recommendations for ceftazidime use:
- For febrile neutropenia, ceftazidime was historically used but is now considered redundant given the availability of piperacillin-tazobactam and other alternatives 6
- For intra-abdominal infections, ceftazidime is proposed as an alternative based on local resistance patterns but is not recommended for empiric treatment in community-acquired infections 6
- It has been effectively used as monotherapy in peritonitis, gynecologic infections, chronic bronchitis, and infections in patients with leukemia and granulocytopenia 4
Modern Combination Formulation
- Ceftazidime-avibactam is a newer combination recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America for complicated urinary tract infections and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) 7, 6
- The avibactam component provides activity against Ambler class A (KPC) and certain class D (OXA-48) carbapenemases but remains inactive against metallo-beta-lactamases 6