Avycaz : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
Why is this medication prescribed?
Avycaz (ceftazidime and avibactam injection) is used with metronidazole (Flagyl) to treat abdominal (stomach area) infections. It is also used to treat pneumonia that developed in people who are on ventilators or who were in a hospital, and kidney and urinary tract infections. Ceftazidime is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Avibactam is in a class of medications called beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by preventing bacteria from breaking down ceftazidime.
Antibiotics such as ceftazidime and avibactam will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
How should this medicine be used?
Avycaz (ceftazidime and avibactam injection) comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually infused (injected slowly) intravenously over a period of 2 hours every 8 hours. The length of your treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection you have and how well you respond to the medication. Your doctor will tell you how long to use Avycaz. You may receive Avycaz in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving Avycaz at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with Avycaz. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, tell your doctor. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish Avycaz, tell your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before using Avycaz,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Avycaz, carbapenem antibiotics such as doripenem (Doribax), imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem); cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin; any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Avycaz. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Avycaz, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Avycaz may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- vomiting
- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- headache
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing
- severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment)
- seizures
- confusion
- sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
- hand tremor
- seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist
- coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
Avycaz may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to Avycaz.
If you have diabetes, Avycaz can cause false results with certain urine glucose tests. Talk to your doctor about which glucose tests you can use during your treatment with Avycaz.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Avycaz®
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.