Tazicef

Pronunciation: sef-TAZ-i-deem
Generic Name: Ceftazidime
Brand Name: Examples include Fortaz and Tazicef

Tazicef is used for:

Treating bacterial infections.

Tazicef is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Tazicef if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tazicef or to another cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin)


• you are taking chloramphenicol

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tazicef:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tazicef. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)


• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, myasthenia gravis, or poor nutrition

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tazicef. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) or diuretics (eg, furosemide) because risk of kidney side effects may be increased


• Chloramphenicol because it may decrease Tazicef's effectiveness


• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) because its effectiveness may be decreased by Tazicef

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tazicef may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tazicef:

Use Tazicef as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Tazicef is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Tazicef at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.


• Do not use Tazicef if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• To clear up your infection completely, take Tazicef for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Tazicef, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tazicef.

Important safety information:

• Tazicef may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tazicef with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Tazicef only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Tazicef for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Tazicef may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur during treatment or within several months after treatment with Tazicef. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Tazicef may reduce the ability of your blood to clot. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Diabetes patients-Tazicef may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Tazicef. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).


• Tazicef may affect certain lab test results. Make sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Tazicef.


• Lab tests, including kidney or liver tests or blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Tazicef. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Tazicef with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Use Tazicef with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this while you are pregnant. Tazicef is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tazicef, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tazicef:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; headache; nausea; numbness or tingling of skin; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal muscle movements; bloody stools; decreased urination; fever; hoarseness; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain/cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; vein inflammation; white patches in the mouth; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Tazicef side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness; muscle spasms; seizures.

Proper storage of Tazicef:

Tazicef is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Tazicef at home, store Tazicef as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tazicef out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tazicef, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Tazicef is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tazicef. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Tazicef resources

• Tazicef Side Effects (in more detail)
• Tazicef Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Tazicef Drug Interactions
• Tazicef Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Tazicef - Add your own review/rating

• Tazicef Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Tazicef Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Tazicef Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ceftazidime Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ceftazidime Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Ceftazidime Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Fortaz Prescribing Information (FDA)

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