Ceftazidime

Ceftazidime is a beta-lactam, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with bactericidal activity. It is a member of a subclass called "antipseudomonal". The U.S. proprietary name is Fortaz. Indications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration include: infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Hemophilus species, Serratia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus.

Compared to the second and first generation cephalosporins, itis more active against gram-negative bacteria and less active against gram-positive bacteria. Ceftazidine also crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches therapeutic concentrations in the central nervous system (CNS).

Mechanism of action
It inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall, proteins that participate in the terminal stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall, and in reshaping the cell wall during cell division. Their inactivation interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity, leading to cell lysis.

Risks
In one study, the use of ceftazidime was the greatest risk factor for nosocomial Acinetobacter infection.: