Tizacef 1 g powder for solution for injection/infusion (ceftazidime) – cephalosporin antibiotic for serious bacterial infections

Tizacef is a cephalosporin antibiotic (third generation). It contains the active substance ceftazidime, which kills the bacteria that cause infection. The spectrum of ceftazidime is mainly limited to aerobic Gram-negative bacteria.

It is used in adults and children, including newborns, to treat serious bacterial infections. The medicine is a 1 g powder for solution for injection/infusion; the solution is prepared and given by a doctor or nurse – into a vein (injection or infusion) or deep into a muscle. The medicine is used in a healthcare facility.

What is Tizacef used for and how is it given?

Basic information about the medicine

What is Tizacef used for?

According to the package leaflet, Tizacef is used to treat serious bacterial infections of:

• the lungs or chest, including hospital-acquired (nosocomial) pneumonia;
• the lungs and bronchi in patients with cystic fibrosis;
• the brain and its membranes (bacterial meningitis);
• the ear (chronic suppurative otitis media, malignant otitis externa);
• the urinary tract (complicated infections);
• the skin and soft tissues (complicated infections);
• the abdomen and abdominal wall (complicated infections, peritonitis, including peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis);
• bones and joints.

It is also used to prevent infection during prostate surgery (transurethral resection), to treat patients with a low white blood cell count (neutropenia) and fever suspected to be bacterial, and in bacteraemia associated with the infections listed. When a possible pathogen is outside the spectrum of ceftazidime, the medicine is combined with other antibiotics.

How is Tizacef given and dosed?

The dose is set by the doctor according to the type and severity of infection, body weight, age and kidney function. According to the package leaflet:

The medicine is given as an intravenous injection or infusion (most commonly), or as a deep intramuscular injection when intravenous use is not possible. For some serious infections a continuous infusion is used (loading dose of 2 g, then 4–6 g every 24 hours in adults). After each haemodialysis session, the maintenance dose is given again.

Special patient groups

• Children, including newborns: the dose is calculated by body weight; the safety of continuous infusion in newborns and infants up to 2 months has not been established.
• Elderly patients: because of reduced elimination, the daily dose normally does not exceed 3 g in patients over 80.
• Kidney impairment: ceftazidime is excreted by the kidneys, so the dose is reduced and kidney function is monitored more often.
• Liver impairment: no dose adjustment is needed in mild to moderate impairment; careful clinical monitoring is recommended in severe impairment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to ceftazidime, other cephalosporins or the excipient (sodium carbonate);
• a previous severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to another beta-lactam antibiotic – penicillins, monobactams or carbapenems.

Precautions and warnings

• As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions are possible – before treatment the doctor checks for previous antibiotic allergy; in a severe reaction treatment is stopped immediately.
• Diarrhoea during or after treatment may be a sign of antibiotic-associated colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) – medicines that slow bowel movement are not given.
• Concomitant high doses with nephrotoxic medicines (aminoglycosides, potent diuretics such as furosemide) may harm the kidneys.
• In kidney impairment without dose reduction, neurological effects may occur (tremor, muscle twitching, convulsions, encephalopathy, coma).
• Prolonged use may lead to overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms (enterococci, fungi).
• The medicine may give a false-positive result in some urine sugar tests and a positive Coombs test (about 5% of patients) – inform the laboratory staff.
• One vial contains 52 mg sodium – important for a controlled sodium diet.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• Chloramphenicol – may act antagonistically to ceftazidime (in vitro).
• Aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin, tobramycin) and furosemide – risk of kidney damage at high doses; aminoglycosides are not mixed with ceftazidime in the same syringe or giving set.
• Probenecid (a gout medicine) – tell the doctor if you take it.
• Before treatment, tell the doctor about all medicines you are taking or have recently taken.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Pregnancy: data are limited; the doctor prescribes the medicine only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby.
• Breastfeeding: ceftazidime passes into breast milk in small amounts, but no effect on the infant is expected at therapeutic doses – the medicine can be used during breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

• The medicine may cause dizziness, which may affect the ability to drive and use machines – do not drive until you are sure the medicine does not affect you.

Possible side effects

• Serious (frequency not known): severe allergic reaction with rash, itching, swelling of the face or mouth and difficulty breathing; target-like rash (erythema multiforme); widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis); DRESS syndrome; neurological disorders with an excessive dose, especially in kidney disease.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): diarrhoea; inflammation of the veins after intravenous use; red, itchy hive-like rash; pain or inflammation at the intramuscular injection site; in tests – increased eosinophils and platelets, transient increase in liver enzymes, positive Coombs test.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): bowel inflammation with pain or bloody diarrhoea, candidiasis of the mouth or vagina, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, itching; in tests – reduced white blood cells and platelets, transient increase in urea and creatinine.
• Very rare (up to 1 in 10,000): inflammation or failure of the kidneys.
• Not known: pins and needles, bad taste in the mouth, jaundice; haemolytic anaemia, lymphocytosis, agranulocytosis.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: may cause neurological effects – encephalopathy, convulsions and coma, especially in kidney impairment without dose adjustment. Haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis reduce the level of the medicine in the blood. If you think you have received too much, tell the doctor immediately.
• Missed dose: a missed injection is given as soon as possible; two doses are not given at the same time.
• Stopping treatment: treatment is not stopped without the doctor's decision.

Related information

During and after antibiotic treatment it is important to watch bowel function (diarrhoea), drink enough fluids and report any new symptoms to the doctor in charge of your treatment.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: ceftazidime – 1 g per vial (as ceftazidime pentahydrate).
• Excipient: sterile sodium carbonate (one vial contains 52 mg sodium).
• Appearance and pack: white or pale yellow powder in a colourless glass vial (10 mL) with a rubber stopper and aluminium ring with a purple plastic cap; 50 vials in a box.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: PharmaSwiss d.o.o., Belgrade, Batajnički drum 5A, Belgrade. Authorisation 515-01-01314-21-001 of 26 January 2022.

Storage

• The unopened medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Shelf life: 2 years.
• The prepared solution should be used immediately; if this is not possible, it may be kept for no longer than 24 hours at 2–8 °C (unless prepared under controlled aseptic conditions).
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive Tizacef if I am allergic to penicillin?

If you have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to penicillins, monobactams or carbapenems, Tizacef must not be given. With a milder previous reaction the doctor decides with special caution – so always tell them about any antibiotic allergy.

Why is the dose reduced in kidney disease?

Ceftazidime is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. When kidney function is reduced, the medicine accumulates, so after a 1 g loading dose the maintenance dose is set according to creatinine clearance to avoid neurological disorders.

Is Tizacef safe for babies?

Yes, the medicine is approved for newborns and children. The dose is calculated by body weight: 25–60 mg/kg daily in two doses for newborns up to 2 months, and 100–150 mg/kg daily in three doses for older babies and children under 40 kg.

Can Tizacef cause diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a common side effect. If it is severe, persistent or bloody – during or after treatment – it may be a sign of antibiotic-associated bowel inflammation, so contact your doctor and do not take medicines that slow bowel movement.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Tizacef 1 g (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Tizacef 1 g (SmPC)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.