Forta-Z is indicated for the treatment of the infections listed below in adults and children including neonates (from birth).

• Nosocomial pneumonia
• Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
• Bacterial meningitis
• Chronic suppurative otitis media
• Malignant otitis externa
• Complicated urinary tract infections
• Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
• Complicated intra-abdominal infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Peritonitis associated with dialysis in patients on CAPD.

Treatment of patients with bacteraemia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed above.

Ceftazidime may be used in the management of neutropenic patients with fever that is suspected to be due to a bacterial infection.

Ceftazidime may be used in the peri-operative prophylaxis of urinary tract infections for patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

The selection of ceftazidime should take into account its antibacterial spectrum, which is mainly restricted to aerobic Gram negative bacteria (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Ceftazidime should be co-administered with other antibacterial agents whenever the possible range of causative bacteria would not fall within its spectrum of activity.

Consideration should be given to official guidelines on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

Posology

Table 1: Adults and children ≥ 40 kg

Intermittent Administration
Infection	Dose to be administered
Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis	100 to 150 mg/kg/day every 8 h, maximum 9 g per day1
Febrile neutropenia	2 g every 8 h
Nosocomial pneumonia
Bacterial meningitis
Bacteraemia*
Bone and joint infections	1-2 g every 8 h
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
Complicated intra-abdominal infections
Peritonitis associated with dialysis in patients on CAPD
Complicated urinary tract infections	1-2 g every 8 h or 12 h
Peri-operative prophylaxis for transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)	1 g at induction of anaesthesia, and a second dose at catheter removal
Chronic suppurative otitis media	1 g to 2 g every 8 h
Malignant otitis externa
Continuous infusion
Infection	Dose to be administered
Febrile neutropenia	Loading dose of 2 g followed by a continuous infusion of 4 to 6 g every 24 h1 The infusion of any unit of dissolved drug shall last no longer than 9h (see section 6.3).   Therefore, following reconstitution, the unit dose in the infusion fluid should be administered within 9 h, for example for 8 g per day: 2 g loading dose followed by 2 g continuous infusion every 8 h.
Nosocomial pneumonia
Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
Bacterial meningitis
Bacteraemia*
Bone and joint infections
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
Complicated intra-abdominal infections
Peritonitis associated with dialysis in patients on CAPD
1In adults with normal renal function 9 g/day has been used without adverse effects. *When associated with, or suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed in 4.1.

Table 2: Children < 40 kg

Infants and toddlers >2 months and children <40 kg	Infection	Usual dose
Intermittent Administration
	Complicated urinary tract infections	100-150 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, maximum 6 g/day
	Chronic suppurative otitis media
	Malignant otitis externa
	Neutropenic children	150 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, maximum 6 g/day
	Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
	Bacterial meningitis
	Bacteraemia*
	Bone and joint infections	100 – 150 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, maximum 6 g/day
	Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
	Complicated intra- abdominal infections
	Peritonitis associated with dialysis in patients on CAPD
Continuous Infusion
	Febrile neutropenia	Loading dose of 60-100 mg/kg followed by a continuous infusion 100-200 mg/kg/day, maximum 6 g/day
	Nosocomial pneumonia
	Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
	Bacterial meningitis
	Bacteraemia*
	Bone and joint infections
	Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
	Complicated intra- abdominal infections
	Peritonitis associated with dialysis in patients on CAPD
Neonates and infants ≤ 2 months	Infection	Usual dose
Intermittent Administration
	Most infections	25-60 mg/kg/day in two divided doses1
1In neonates and infants ≤ 2 months, the serum half life of ceftazidime can be three to four times that in adults. *Where associated with, or suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed in section 4.1.

Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of ceftazidime administered as continuous infusion to neonates and infants ≤ 2 months has not been established.

Elderly
In view of the age related reduced clearance of ceftazidime in elderly patients, the daily dose should not normally exceed 3 g in those over 80 years of age.

Hepatic impairment
Available data do not indicate the need for dose adjustment in mild or moderate liver function impairment. There are no study data in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see also section 5.2). Close clinical monitoring for safety and efficacy is advised.

Renal impairment
Ceftazidime is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Therefore, in patients with impaired renal function, the dosage should be reduced (see also section 4.4).

An initial loading dose of 1 g should be given. Maintenance doses should be based on creatinine clearance:

Table 3: Recommended maintenance doses of Forta-Z in renal impairment – intermittent infusion
Adults and children ≥ 40 kg

Creatinine clearance ml/min	Approx. serum creatinine µmol/l(mg/dl)	Recommended unit dose of Forta-Z (g)	Frequency of dosing (hourly)
50-31	150-200 (1.7-2.3)	1	12
30-16	200-350 (2.3-4.0)	1	24
15-6	350-500 (4.0-5.6)	0.5	24
<5	>500 (>5.6)	0.5	48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In patients with severe infections the unit dose should be increased by 50% or the dosing frequency increased. In children the creatinine clearance should be adjusted for body surface area or lean body mass.

Children < 40 kg

 

Creatinine clearance (ml/min)**	Approx. serum creatinine* µmol/l (mg/dl)	Recommended individual dose mg/kg body weight	Frequency of dosing (hourly)
50-31	150-200 (1.7-2.3)	25	12
30-16	200-350 (2.3-4.0)	25	24
15-6	350-500 (4.0-5.6)	12.5	24
<5	>500 (>5.6)	12.5	48
* The serum creatinine values are guideline values that may not indicate exactly the same degree of reduction for all patients with reduced renal function. ** Estimated based on body surface area, or measured.

Close clinical monitoring for safety and efficacy is advised.

Table 4: Recommended maintenance doses of Forta-Z in renal impairment – continuous infusion
Adults and children ≥ 40 kg

Creatinine clearance (ml/min)	Approx. Serum creatinine µmol/l (mg/dl)	Frequency of dosing (hourly)
50-31	150-200	Loading dose of 2 g
	(1.7-2.3)	followed by 1 g to 3 g /24 hours
30-16	200-350	Loading dose of 2 g
	(2.3-4.0)	followed by 1 g /24 hours
≤ 15	> 350 (>4.0)	Not evaluated

Caution is advised in dose selection. Close clinical monitoring for safety and efficacy is advised.

Children < 40 kg
The safety and effectiveness of ceftazidime administered as continuous infusion in renally impaired children < 40 kg has not been established, Close clinical monitoring for safety and efficacy is advised.

If continuous infusion is used in children with renal impairment, the creatinine clearance should be adjusted for body surface area or lean body mass.

 Haemodialysis
The serum half-life during haemodialysis ranges from 3 to 5 h.

 Following each haemodialysis period, the maintenance dose of ceftazidime recommended in tables 3 & 4 should be repeated.

Peritoneal dialysis
 Ceftazidime may be used in peritoneal dialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

In addition to intravenous use, ceftazidime can be incorporated into the dialysis fluid (usually 125 to 250mg for 2 litres of dialysis solution).

 For patients in renal failure on continuous arterio-venous haemodialysis or high-flux haemofiltration in intensive therapy units: 1 g daily either as a single dose or in divided doses. For low-flux haemofiltration, follow the dose recommended under renal impairment.

 For patients on veno-venous haemofiltration and veno-venous haemodialysis, follow the dosage recommendations in tables 5 & 6 below.

Table 5: Continuous veno-venous haemofiltration dose guidelines

Residual	Maintenance dose (mg) for an ultrafiltration rate (ml/min) of1:
renal function
(creatinine clearance
	5	16.7	33.3	50
ml/min)
0	250	250	500	500
5	250	250	500	500
10	250	500	500	750
15	250	500	500	750
20	500	500	500	750
1 Maintenance dose to be administered every 12 h.

Table 6: Continuous veno-venous haemodialysis dose guidelines

Residual renal function (creatinine clearance in ml/min)	Maintenance dose (mg) for a dialysate in flow rate of 1:
	1.0 litre/h			2.0 litre/h
	Ultrafiltration rate (litre/h)			Ultrafiltration rate (litre/h)
	0.5	1.0	2.0	0.5	1.0	2.0
0	500	500	500	500	500	750
5	500	500	750	500	500	750
10	500	500	750	500	750	1000
15	500	750	750	750	750	1000
20	750	750	1000	750	750	1000
1Maintenance dose to be administered every 12 h.

Method of administration
The dose depends on the severity, susceptibility, site and type of infection and on the age and renal function of the patient.

 Forta-Z 1 g should be administered by intravenous injection or infusion, or by deep intramuscular injection. Recommended intramuscular injection sites are the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus or lateral part of the thigh. Forta-Z solutions may be given directly into the vein or introduced into the tubing of a giving set if the patient is receiving parenteral fluids. The standard recommended route of administration is by intravenous intermittent injection or intravenous continuous infusion. Intramuscular administration should only be considered when the intravenous route is not possible or less appropriate for the patient.

Hypersensitivity to ceftazidime, to any other cephalosporin or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. History of severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reaction) to any other type of beta-lactam antibacterial agent (penicillins, monobactams and carbapenems).

Hypersensitivity
As with all beta-lactam antibacterial agents, serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. In case of severe hypersensitivity reactions, treatment with ceftazidime must be discontinued immediately and adequate emergency measures must be initiated.

Before beginning treatment, it should be established whether the patient has a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to ceftazidime, to other cephalosporins or to any other type of beta-lactam agent. Caution should be used if ceftazidime is given to patients with a history of non-severe hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam agents.

Spectrum of activity
Ceftazidime has a limited spectrum of antibacterial activity. It is not suitable for use as a single agent for the treatment of some types of infections unless the pathogen is already documented and known to be susceptible or there is a very high suspicion that the most likely pathogen(s) would be suitable for treatment with ceftazidime. This particularly applies when considering the treatment of patients with bacteraemia and when treating bacterial meningitis, skin and soft tissue infections and bone and joint infections. In addition, ceftazidime is susceptible to hydrolysis by several of the extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs). Therefore information on the prevalence of ESBL producing organisms should be taken into account when selecting ceftazidime for treatment.

 Pseudomembranous colitis
Antibacterial agent-associated colitis and pseudo-membranous colitis have been reported with nearly all anti-bacterial agents, including ceftazidime, and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of ceftazidime (see section 4.8). Discontinuation of therapy with ceftazidime and the administration of specific treatment for Clostridium difficile should be considered. Medicinal products that inhibit peristalsis should not be given.

Renal function
Concurrent treatment with high doses of cephalosporins and nephrotoxic medicinal products such as aminoglycosides or potent diuretics (e.g. furosemide) may adversely affect renal function.

Ceftazidime is eliminated via the kidneys, therefore the dose should be reduced according to the degree of renal impairment. Patients with renal impairment should be closely monitored for both safety and efficacy. Neurological sequelae have occasionally been reported when the dose has not been reduced in patients with renal impairment (see section 4.2 and 4.8).

Overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms
Prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms (e.g. Enterococci, fungi) which may require interruption of treatment or other appropriate measures. Repeated evaluation of the patient's condition is essential.

Test and assay interactions
Ceftazidime does not interfere with enzyme-based tests for glycosuria, but slight interference (false-positive) may occur with copper reduction methods (Benedict's, Fehling's, Clinitest).

Ceftazidime does not interfere in the alkaline picrate assay for creatinine.

The development of a positive Coombs' test associated with the use of ceftazidime in about 5% of patients may interfere with the cross-matching of blood.

Forta-Z contains sodium
Forta-Z contains sodium. Each vial of Forta-Z 1 g Powder for Solution for Injection/Infusion contains 84.19 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt). This is equivalent to 4.21% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.

Interaction studies have only been conducted with a probenecid and furosemide.

Concurrent use of high doses with nephrotoxic medicinal products may adversely affect renal function (see section 4.4).

Chloramphenicol is antagonistic in vitro with ceftazidime and other cephalosporins. The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown, but if concurrent administration of ceftazidime with chloramphenicol is proposed, the possibility of antagonism should be considered.

Pregnancy
There are limited amounts of data from the use of ceftazidime in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development (see section 5.3).

Forta-Z should be prescribed to pregnant women only if the benefit outweighs the risk.

Breast-feeding
Ceftazidime is excreted in human milk in small quantities but at therapeutic doses of ceftazidime no effects on the breast-fed infant are anticipated. Ceftazidime can be used during breast-feeding.

Fertility
No data are available.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, undesirable effects may occur (e.g. dizziness), which may influence the ability to drive and use machines (see section 4.8).

The most common adverse reactions are eosinophilia, thrombocytosis, phlebitis or thrombophlebitis with intravenous administration, diarrhoea, transient increases in hepatic enzymes, maculopapular or urticarial rash, pain and/or inflammation following intramuscular injection and positive Coomb's test.

Data from sponsored and unsponsored clinical trials have been used to determine the frequency of common and uncommon undesirable effects. The frequencies assigned to all other undesirable effects were mainly determined using post-marketing data and refer to a reporting rate rather than a true frequency. Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. The following convention has been used for the classification of frequency:

Very common (≥1/10)

Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)

Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)

Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1000)

Very rare (<1/10,000)

Unknown (cannot be estimated from the available data)

System Organ Class	Common	Uncommon	Very rare	Unknown
Infections and infestations		Candidiasis (including vaginitis and oral thrush)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Eosinophilia Thrombocytosis	Neutropenia Leucopenia Thrombocytopenia		Agranulocytosis Haemolytic anaemia Lymphocytosis
Immune system disorders				Anaphylaxis (including bronchospasm and/or hypotension) (see section 4.4)
Nervous system disorders		Headache Dizziness		Neurological sequelae1 Paraesthesia
Vascular disorders	Phlebitis or thrombophlebitis with intravenous administration
Gastrointestinal disorders	Diarrhoea	Antibacterial agent-associated diarrhoea and colitis2 (see section 4.4) Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting		Bad taste
Heptobiliary disorders	Transient elevations in one or more hepatic enzymes3			Jaundice
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Maculopapular or urticarial rash	Pruritus		Toxic epidermal necrolysis Stevens-Johnson syndrome Erythema multiforme Angioedema Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)4
Renal and urinary disorders		Transient elevations of blood urea, blood urea nitrogen and/or serum creatinine	Interstitial nephritis Acute renal failure
General disorders and administration site conditions	Pain and/or inflammation after intramuscular injection	Fever
Investigations	Positive Coombs' test5

¹There have been reports of neurological sequelae including tremor, myoclonia, convulsions, encephalopathy and coma in patients with renal impairment in whom the dose of ceftazidime has not been appropriately reduced.

²Diarrhoea and colitis may be associated with Clostridium difficile and may present as pseudomembranous colitis.

³ALT (SGPT), AST (SOGT), LHD, GGT, alkaline phosphatase.

⁴There have been rare reports where DRESS has been associated with ceftazidime.

⁵A positive Coombs test develops in about 5% of patients and may interfere with blood cross matching.

 Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:

• Saudi Arabia

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC)
SFDA Call Center: 19999
E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa
Website: https://ade.sfda.gov.sa

• Other GCC States

Please contact the relevant competent authority

Overdose can lead to neurological sequelae including encephalopathy, convulsions and coma.

Symptoms of overdose can occur if the dose is not reduced appropriately in patients with renal impairment (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Serum levels of ceftazidime can be reduced by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use.

Third-generation cephalosporins ATC code: J01DD02

Mechanism of action
Ceftazidime inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis following attachment to penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). This results in the interruption of cell wall (peptidoglycan) biosynthesis, which leads to bacterial cell lysis and death.

PK/PD relationship
For cephalosporins, the most important pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic index correlating with in vivo efficacy has been shown to be the percentage of the dosing interval that the unbound concentration remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ceftazidime for individual target species (i.e. %T>MIC).

Mechanism of Resistance
Bacterial resistance to ceftazidime may be due to one or more of the following mechanisms:

• Hydrolysis by beta-lactamases. Ceftazidime may be efficiently hydrolysed by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), including the SHV family of ESBLs and AmpC enzymes that may be induced or stably derepressed in certain aerobic Gram-negative bacterial species
• Reduced affinity of penicillin-binding proteins for ceftazidime
• Outer membrane impermeability, which restricts access of ceftazidime to penicillin binding proteins in Gram-negative organisms
• Bacterial efflux pumps.

Breakpoints
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints established by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) are as follows:

Organism	Breakpoints (mg/L)
	S	I	R
Enterobacteriaceae	≤1	2-4	>4
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	≤81	-	>8
Non-species related breakpoints2	≤4	8	>8

S=Susceptible, I=Intermediate, R=Resistant

¹The breakpoints relate to high dose therapy (2 g x 3).

²Non-species related breakpoints have been determined mainly on the basis of PK/PD data and are independent of MIC distributions of specific species. They are for use only for species not mentioned in the table or footnotes.

Microbiological Susceptibility
The prevalence of acquired resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, expert advice should be sought when the local prevalence of resistance is such that the utility of ceftazidime in at least some types of infections is questionable.

Commonly Susceptible Species

Gram-positive aerobes: Streptococcus pyogenes Streptococcus agalactiae

Gram-negative aerobes: Citrobacter koseri Haemophilus influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis Neisseria meningitidis Pasteurella multocida Proteus mirabilis Proteus spp (other) Providencia spp.

Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem

Gram-negative aerobes: Acinetobacter baumannii+ Burkholderia cepacia Citrobacter freundii Enterobacter aerogenes Enterobacter cloacae Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae Klebsiella spp (other) Pseudomonas aeruginosa Serratia spp Morganella morganii

Gram-positive aerobes: Staphylococcus aureus£ Streptococcus pneumoniae££ Viridans group streptococcus

Gram-positive anaerobes: Clostridium perfringens Peptostreptococcus spp.

Gram-negative anaerobes Fusobacterium spp.

Inherently resistant organisms

Gram-positive aerobes: Enterococcus spp including Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Listeria spp.

Gram-positive anaerobes: Clostridium difficile

Gram-negative anaerobes: Bacteroides spp. (many strains of Bacteroides fragilis are resistant).

Others: Chlamydia spp Mycoplasma spp Legionella spp

£S.aureus that is methicillin susceptible are considered to have inherent low susceptibility to ceftazidime.All methicillin-resistance S. Aureus are resistant to ceftazidime. ££S.pneumoniae that demonstrate intermediate susceptibility or are resistant to penicillin can be expected to demonstrate at least reduced susceptibility to ceftazidime. +High rates of resistance have been observed in one or more areas/countries/regions within the EU.

Absorption
After intramuscular administration of 500 mg and 1 g of ceftazidime, peak plasma levels of 18 and 37 mg/l, respectively are achieved rapidly. Five minutes after intravenous bolus injection of 500 mg, 1 g or 2 g, plasma levels are 46, 87 and 170mg/l, respectively. The kinetics of ceftazidime are linear within the single dose range of 0.5 to 2 g following intravenous or intramuscular dosing.

Distribution
The serum protein binding of ceftazidime is low at about 10%. Concentrations in excess of the MIC for common pathogens can be achieved in tissues such as bone, heart, bile, sputum, aqueous humour, synovial, pleural and peritoneal fluids. Ceftazidime crosses the placenta readily, and is excreted in the breast milk. Penetration of the intact blood-brain barrier is poor, resulting in low levels of ceftazidime in the CSF in the absence of inflammation. However, concentrations of 4 to 20 mg/l or more are achieved in the CSF when the meninges are inflamed.

Biotransformation
Ceftazidime is not metabolised.

Elimination
After parenteral administration plasma levels decrease with a half-life of about 2 h. Ceftazidime is excreted unchanged into the urine by glomerular filtration; approximately 80 to 90 % of the dose is recovered in the urine within 24 h. Less than 1 % is excreted via the bile.

Special patient populations
Renal impairment
Elimination of ceftazidime is decreased in patients with impaired renal function and the dose should be reduced (see section 4.2).

 Hepatic impairment
The presence of mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in individuals administered 2 g intravenously every 8 hours for 5 days, provided renal function was not impaired (see section 4.2).

 Elderly
The reduced clearance observed in elderly patients was primarily due to age-related decrease in renal clearance of ceftazidime. The mean elimination half-life ranged from 3.5 to 4 hours following single or 7 days repeat BID dosing of 2 g IV bolus injections in elderly patients 80 years or older.

Paediatric population
The half-life of ceftazidime is prolonged in preterm and term neonates by 4.5 to 7.5 hours after doses of 25 to 30 mg/kg. However, by the age of 2 months the half-life is within the range for adults.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on studies of safety pharmacology, repeat dose toxicity, genotoxicity, toxicity to reproduction. Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with ceftazidime.

 

-   Sodium carbonate

Ceftazidime is less stable in sodium bicarbonate injection than in other intravenous fluids. It is not recommended as a diluent.

Ceftazidime and aminoglycosides should not be mixed in the same giving set or syringe.

Precipitation has been reported with vancomycin added to ceftazidime in solution. Therefore, it would be prudent to flush giving sets and intravenous lines between administration of these two agents.

 

24 months. After reconstitution: Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2-8°C in water for injection or compatible fluids listed below. From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. After dilution: Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2-8°C in compatible fluids listed below. From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted and diluted solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Store below 30°C.

Store in the original package to protect from light.

For storage conditions after reconstitution see section 6.3.

50 ml type II clear moulded glass vials sealed with bromobutyl rubber stoppers and aluminum caps.

After reconstitution:
Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2-8°C in water for injection or compatible fluids listed below.

From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

After dilution:
Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2-8°C in compatible fluids listed below.

From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted and diluted solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling
As the product dissolves, carbon dioxide is released. Small bubbles of carbon dioxide in the constituted solution may be ignored.

Instructions for constitution
See Table 7 and Table 8 for addition volumes and solution concentrations, which may be useful when fractional doses are required.

Table 7: Powder for Solution for Injection

Presentation	Amount of diluent to be added (ml)	Approximate concentration (mg/ml)
1 g
Intramuscular Intravenous bolus	3 ml 10 ml	260 90

Note:

• The resulting volume of the solution of ceftazidime in reconstitution medium is increased due to the displacement factor of the drug product resulting in the listed concentrations in mg/ml presented in the above table.

Table 8: Powder for Solution for Infusion

Presentation	Amount of diluent to be added (ml)	Approximate concentration (mg/ml)
1 g
Intravenous infusion	50 ml*	20

 * Addition should be in two stages.

Note:

• The resulting volume of the solution of ceftazidime in reconstitution medium is increased due to the displacement factor of the drug product resulting in the listed concentrations in mg/ml presented in the above table.

Solutions range in colour from light yellow to amber depending on concentration, diluent and storage conditions used. Within the stated recommendations, product potency is not adversely affected by such colour variations.

Ceftazidime at concentrations between 1 mg/ml and 40 mg/ml is compatible with:

• 9 mg/ml (0.9%) Sodium chloride solution for injection
• M/6 Sodium lactate injection
• Compound sodium lactate injection (Hartmann’s solution)
• 5% Dextrose injection
• 0.225% Sodium chloride and 5% dextrose injection
• 0.45% Sodium chloride and 5% dextrose injection
• 0.9% Sodium chloride and 5% dextrose injection
• 0.18% Sodium chloride and 4% dextrose injection
• 10% Dextrose Injection

Ceftazidime at concentrations between 0.05 mg/ml and 0.25 mg/ml is compatible with Intra-peritoneal dialysis fluid (Lactate).

Ceftazidime at concentrations detailed in Table 7 may be constituted for intramuscular use with 0.5% or 1% lidocaine hydrochloride injection.

Preparation of solution for bolus injection:

1. Insert the syringe needle through the vial closure and inject the recommended volume of diluent. Remove the syringe needle.
2. Shake to dissolve: carbon dioxide is released and a clear solution will be obtained in about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Invert the vial. With the syringe plunger fully depressed, insert the needle through the vial closure and withdraw the total volume of solution into the syringe (the pressure in the vial may aid withdrawal). Ensure that the needle remains within the solution and does not enter the head space. The withdrawn solution may contain small bubbles of carbon dioxide; they may be disregarded.

These solutions may be given directly into the vein or introduced into the tubing of a giving set if the patient is receiving parenteral fluids. Ceftazidime is compatible with the intravenous fluids listed above.

Preparation of solutions for IV infusion from ceftazidime injection in standard vial presentation (mini-bag or burette-type set):
Prepare using a total of 50 ml of compatible diluents (listed above), added in two stages as below.

1. Introduce the syringe needle through the vial closure and inject 10 ml of diluent for the 1 g vial.
2. Withdraw the needle and shake the vial to give a clear solution.
3. Do not insert a gas relief needle until the product has dissolved. Insert a gas relief needle through the vial closure to relieve the internal pressure.
4. Transfer the reconstituted solution to final delivery vehicle (e.g. mini-bag or burette-type set) making up a total volume of at least 50 ml, and administer by intravenous infusion over 15 to 30 min.

Note: To preserve product sterility, it is important that the gas relief needle is not inserted through the vial closure before the product has dissolved.

Any residual antibiotic solution should be discarded.

For single use only.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.