Fortum (Ceptaz)

Ceftazidime belongs to the group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Ceftazidime injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Therapeutic actions:
Fortum has a bactericidal effect; action depends on ability to reach and bind penicillin-binding proteins located in bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. Cephalosporins inhibit bacterial septum and cell wall synthesis, probably by acylation of membrane-bound transpeptidase enzymes. This prevents cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains, which is necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. Also, cell division and growth are inhibited, and elongation of susceptible bacteria and lysis frequently occur. Rapidly dividing bacteria are those most susceptible to the action of cephalosporins.

What is it used for?:
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, including pneumonia;
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections;
• Urinary Tract Infections, both complicated and uncomplicated;
• Bacterial Septicemia;
• Bone and Joint Infections;
• Gynecologic Infections, including endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, and other infections of the female genital tract;
• Intra abdominal Infections, including peritonitis;
• Central Nervous System Infections, including meningitis.

Contraindications and cautions:
• Allergy to ceftazidime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.

Side effects:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; headache, dizziness; numbness or tingly feeling; vaginal itching or discharge.

Interactions:
• Ceftazidime can make birth control pills less effective;
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin);
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix); or
• an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).