Fortum Caution For Usage

Incompatibilities: Ceftazidime (Fortum) is less stable in Sodium Bicarbonate Injection than in other i.v. fluids. It is not recommended as a diluent. Ceftazidime (Fortum) and aminoglycosides should not be mixed in the same giving set or syringe. Precipitation has been reported with vancomycin added to Ceftazidime (Fortum) in solution. Therefore, it would be prudent to flush giving sets and i.v. lines between administration of these two agents.
Instructions for Use/Handling: Ceftazidime (Fortum) for injection/infusion is compatible with most commonly used i.v. fluids. However, Sodium Bicarbonate Injection is not recommended as a diluent (see Incompatibilities as previously mentioned).
All sizes of vials of Ceftazidime (Fortum) Injection are supplied under reduced pressure. As the product dissolves, carbon dioxide is released and a positive pressure develops. Small bubbles of carbon dioxide in the constituted solution may be ignored. (See Table 5.)

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Solutions range 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: 0.9% Sodium Chloride 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; Dextran 40 Injection 10% in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection; Dextran 40 Injection 10% in 5% Dextrose Injection; Dextran 70 Injection 6% in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection; Dextran 70 Injection 6% in 5% Dextrose Injection.
Ceftazidime at concentrations between 0.05 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL is compatible with Intra-peritoneal Dialysis Fluid (Lactate).
Ceftazidime (Fortum) may be constituted for i.m. use with 0.5% or 1% Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection.
Both components retain satisfactory potency when ceftazidime at 4 mg/mL is mixed with: Hydrocortisone (hydrocortisone sodium phosphate) 1 mg/mL in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection; Cefuroxime (cefuroxime sodium) 3 mg/mL in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection; Cloxacillin (cloxacillin sodium) 4 mg/mL in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection; Heparin 10 IU/mL or 50 IU/mL in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection; Potassium Chloride 10 mEq/L or 40 mEq/L in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.
The contents of a 500 mg vial of Ceftazidime (Fortum) for injection, constituted with 1.5 mL Water for Injections, may be added to metronidazole injection (500 mg in 100 mL) and both retain their activity.
Preparation of solutions for i.m. or i.v. bolus injection: 1. Introduce the syringe needle through the vial closure and inject the recommended volume of diluent.
2. Withdraw the needle and shake the vial to give a clear solution.
3. Invert the vial. With the syringe piston fully depressed insert the needle into the solution. Withdraw the total volume of solution into the syringe, ensuring that the needle remains in the solution. Small bubbles of carbon dioxide may be disregarded.
Preparation of solutions for i.v. infusion from Ceftazidime (Fortum) injection (mini-bag or burette-type set): Prepare using a total of 50 mL (for 1 g and 2 g vials) and 75 mL (for 3 g vials) of compatible diluent, added in TWO stages as follows.
1 g, 2 g and 3 g Vials for I.V. Infusion: 1. Introduce the syringe needle through the vial closure and inject 10 mL of diluent for the 1 g and 2 g vials, and 15 mL for the 3 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 (75 mL for the 3 g vial), and administer by intravenous infusion over 15 to 30 minutes.
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.