Overview

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.

Indication

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.

Associated Conditions

Bacteremia
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial Septicemia
Bone and Joint Infections
Bronchopulmonary Infection
Central Nervous System Infections
Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections (cIAIs)
Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
Complicated Urinary Tract Infection
Complicated Urinary Tract Infections caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms
Fever caused by susceptible bacteria
Gynecological Infection
Intraabdominal Infections
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI)
Meningitis, Bacterial
Nosocomial Pneumonia
Peritoneal Dialysis Associated Peritonitis
Skin and skin structure infections
Urinary Tract Infection
Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms
Chronic suppurative Otitis media
Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms
Malignant Otitis Externa
Susceptible Intra-Abdominal Infection caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganism

Research Report

Published: Aug 5, 2025

An Expert Monograph on Ceftazidime (DB00438)

1.0 Executive Summary

Ceftazidime is a parenteral, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that has been a significant component of the antimicrobial armamentarium since its patenting in 1978 and subsequent commercial introduction in 1984.[1] Classified as a small molecule drug, it is recognized for its essential role in medicine and is included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[1] The bactericidal action of Ceftazidime is achieved through the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis, which it accomplishes by binding to and inactivating essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), with a particularly high affinity for PBP3 in Gram-negative organisms.[3]

The drug possesses a broad spectrum of activity, but its clinical value is most pronounced in its potent efficacy against a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens. It is especially noted for its activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with multi-drug resistance.[1] This makes Ceftazidime a critical agent for the treatment of severe, life-threatening infections, including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VABP), meningitis, sepsis, complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), and bone and joint infections.[1] Furthermore, it holds the status of a first-line therapy for melioidosis, a serious infection endemic to tropical regions.[1]

The pharmacokinetic profile of Ceftazidime is characterized by its parenteral route of administration (intravenous or intramuscular), minimal plasma protein binding of less than 10%, and excellent penetration into a wide variety of body tissues and fluids, including inflamed cerebrospinal fluid.[5] It undergoes no significant metabolism and is eliminated almost entirely unchanged via renal glomerular filtration.[5]

Continue reading the full research report

Clinical Trials

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Title	Posted	Study ID	Phase	Status	Sponsor
Short vs Prolonged Antibiotic Treatment for Hospitalized Hemato-oncology Patients With Febrile Neutropenia	2015/06/04	NCT02463747	Phase 4	UNKNOWN	Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Single Versus Combined Antibiotic Therapy for Bacterial Peritonitis in CAPD Patients	2013/02/07	NCT01785641	Not Applicable	Completed	Chulalongkorn University
Post ERCP Pancreatitis Prevention in Average Risk Patients	2013/02/05	NCT01784445	Phase 4	Completed	University Hospital Rijeka
A Study Comparing Continuous Infusion Antibiotics to Standard Treatment for Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis	2012/08/17	NCT01667094	Phase 4	UNKNOWN	The Alfred
Ceftazidime-Avibactam for the Treatment of Infections Due to Ceftazidime Resistant Pathogens	2012/07/19	NCT01644643	Phase 3	Completed	Pfizer
Ceftazidime-Avibactam Compared With Doripenem Followed by Oral Therapy for Hospitalized Adults With Complicated UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)	2012/05/16	NCT01599806	Phase 3	Completed	Pfizer
Ceftazidime-Avibactam Compared With Doripenem Followed by Oral Therapy for Hospitalized Adults With Complicated UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)	2012/05/10	NCT01595438	Phase 3	Completed	Pfizer
Daptomycin + Meropenem Versus Ceftazidime in the Treatment of Nosocomial Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis	2011/10/19	NCT01455246	Phase 2	Terminated	University of Padova
A Study to Assess the Levels of Two Antibiotics in the Blood When Given Together and Separately	2011/09/09	NCT01430910	Phase 1	Completed	Pfizer
Population Pharmacokinetics of Anti-infectious Drugs in Children	2011/04/29	NCT01344512	Not Applicable	Completed	University Hospital, Bordeaux

FDA Drug Approvals

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