Ceftazidime

Bacteria possess a cell wall comprising a glycopeptide polymer commonly known as peptidoglycan, which is synthesized and remodelled through the action of a family of enzymes known as "penicillin-binding proteins" (PBPs). β-lactam antibiotics, including cephalosporins, are PBP inhibitors that, through inhibition of essential PBPs, result in impaired cell wall homeostasis, loss of cell integrity, and ultimately bacterial cell death. Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, including against some treatment-resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Ceftazidime was approved by the FDA on July 19, 1985, and is currently available either alone or in combination with the non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

Ceftazidime is indicated for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint infections, gynecologic infections, intra-abdominal infections (including peritonitis), and central nervous system infections (including meningitis) caused by susceptible bacteria.

Ceftazidime is indicated in combination with avibactam to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-negative organisms, including complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), in conjunction with metronidazole, and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, in patients aged three months and older. This combination is also indicated to treat hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) in patients aged 18 years and older.

In all cases, to mitigate the risk of bacterial resistance and preserve clinical efficacy, ceftazidime should only be used for infections that are confirmed or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacterial strains.