CEFTAZIDIME - AN UPDATE OF ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY, PHARMACOKINETIC PROPERTIES AND THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY

Ceftazidime is a third generation cephalosporin antibacterial agent wh ich, since its introduction in the early 1980s, has retained a broad s pectrum of in vitro antimicrobial activity and clinical utility in ser ious infections. However increasing resistance to ceftazidime and othe r third generation cephalosporins, particularly among Enterobacteriace ae, due to the emergence of plasmid-mediated extended spectrum beta-la ctamases and the class I chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases, is of concern. There is now a wealth of information on the pharmacokinetics of the drug, enabling ceftazidime to be used predictably, and with a low potential for adverse effects, in a diversity of patient populatio ns. Overall, ceftazidime remains an effective agent for the treatment of serious infection, particularly those due to major nosocomial patho gens, and respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Cef tazidime-containing regimens also remain an important option for the e mpirical therapy of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients. The tole rability profile of ceftazidime makes the drug a useful option in seri ously ill patients who are at risk of developing adverse events with o ther antibacterial agents. Although patterns of bacterial resistance h ave changed in the ensuing years since its introduction, judicious use of this important agent will help maintain its present clinical utili ty.