Fortaz

Fortaz is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before using Fortaz, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

• Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

• Pediatric Population: Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in children.

• Geriatric Population: Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftazidime injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ceftazidime injection.

• Pregnancy: All Trimesters: Category B: Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.
• Breastfeeding: Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

• Drug Interactions: Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines: Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines: Chloramphenicol

• Other Interactions: Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Other Medical Problems: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
  • Brain disease (e.g., encephalopathy, severe confusion) or
  • Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
  • Diarrhea, severe, history of or
  • Myoclonus (muscle twitching or jerking) or
  • Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

To use Fortaz correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles or through a needle placed in one of your veins.

In using Fortaz, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Ceftazidime injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while receiving this medicine: confusion; loss of consciousness; jerking or twitching of the muscles; seizures; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there; or severe sleepiness.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Along with its needed effects, Fortaz may cause some unwanted side effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common:

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• Bloating
• Bluish color
• Changes in skin color
• Diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• Fever
• Increased thirst
• Itching of the vagina or genital area
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Swelling at the site of injection
• Swelling of the foot or leg
• Tenderness
• Thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual weight loss
• White patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• White patches with diaper rash

Rare:

• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• Bleeding gums
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, ""pins and needles"", or tingling feelings
• Chills
• Cough
• Dark urine
• Difficulty with breathing
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• General body swelling
• Headache
• Hives
• Itching
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• Loss of appetite
• Nosebleeds
• Pale skin
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known:

• Agitation
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Blurred vision
• Change in consciousness
• Chest pain
• Clay-colored stools
• Confusion
• Coughing up blood
• Decreased frequency or amount of urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficult or painful urination
• Drowsiness
• Hallucinations
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• Increased thirst
• Irritability
• Loss of consciousness
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle twitching or jerking
• Nosebleeds
• Paralysis
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Red or black, tarry stools
• Red or dark brown urine
• Rhythmic movement of the muscles
• Seizures
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Stiff neck
• Sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• Swollen or painful glands
• Troubled breathing
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Vomiting of blood
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common:

• Red streaks on the skin
• Swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.