Tazidem Dosage/Direction for Use

This drug is administered by intravenous injection/infusion or intramuscularly. Dosage depends upon the severity of infection, condition and upon the age, body weight and renal function of the patient.
The guidelines for amount of diluents are listed in Table: (See Table 1.)

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Ceftazidime is less stable in Sodium bicarbonate Injection than in other IV fluids. It is not recommended as a diluent.
Adult: The usual adult dosage is 0.5g to 2g administered intravenously or intramuscularly 2 or 3 times daily. In most infections, 1g is administered intravenously or intramuscularly every 8 hours or 2g is administered every 12 hours.
Urinary tract infections or moderate infection: The usual adult dosage is 0.5g to 1g administered intravenously or intramuscularly every 12 hours.
Very severe infections particularly in immunocompromised patients including those with neutropenia: 2g is administered intravenously or intramuscularly every 8 hours to 12 hours.
Cystic fibrosis: In Fibrocystic adults with pseudomonal lung infections, 100-150 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses. In adults with normal renal function 9g/day has been used without ill effect.
Infants and Children (≥2 months): 30-100 mg/kg/day in 2 or 3 divided doses. Doses up to 150 mg/kg/day (maximum 6g/day) in three divided doses may be given to infected immunocompromised or fibrocystic children or children with meningitis.
Neonates (0-2 months: 25-60 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses. In neonates the serum half life of ceftazidime can be 3-4 times that in adults.
Use in the Elderly: In view of the reduced clearance of ceftazidime in acutely ill elderly patients, the daily dosage should not normally exceed 3g, especially in those over 80 years of age.
Impaired Renal Function: In patients with impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <50 mL/min), it is recommended that the dosage of ceftazidime be reduced to compensate for its slower excretion. In patients with suspected renal insufficiency, an initial loading dose of 1g of Ceftazidime may be given. An estimate of GFR should be made to determine the appropriate maintenance dosage. The recommended dosage is presented in Table: (See Table 2.)

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The previously mentioned table as guideline could not be applied to every patient. Particularly in elderly patients, renal function could be overestimated with serum creatinine value. In patient who is receiving 6g/day with neutropenia, the unit dose should be increased by 50% or the dosing frequency increased. In such patients, the ceftazidime serum levels should be monitored and trough levels should not exceed 40 mg/L. When only serum creatinine is available, the following formula may be used to estimate creatinine clearance. The serum creatinine should represent a steady state of renal function: Males: (See equation.)

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Females: 0.85 x male value.
In children the creatinine clearance should be adjusted for body surface area or lean body mass.
The serum half-life during haemodialysis ranges from 3 to 5 hours. Following each haemodialysis period the maintenance dose of ceftazidime should be repeated.
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).