Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Fortaz (CEFTAZIDIME)

Fortaz works by binding to penicillin-binding proteins on bacterial cell walls, preventing them from forming a strong cell wall and ultimately leading to bacterial cell death.

Fortaz (ceftazidime) is a small molecule antibiotic developed by Covis Injectables and currently owned by Pai Holdings Pharm. It was FDA-approved in 1985 for various bacterial infections, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, bacterial meningitis, and urinary tract infections. Fortaz is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is available as a generic medication due to its off-patent status. Key safety considerations include its potential to cause seizures and interactions with other medications.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of Action. Ceftazidime is bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Ceftazidime has activity in the presence of some beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Approved indications

• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
• Skin and Skin-Structure Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Bacterial Septicemia
• Bone and Joint Infections
• Gynecologic Infections
• Intra-abdominal Infections
• Central Nervous System Infections

Common side effects

• Hypersensitivity Reactions
• Gastrointestinal Symptoms
• Local Effects
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema
• Candidiasis
• Vaginitis
• Hemolytic anemia
• Eosinophilia
• Positive Coombs test without hemolysis
• Thrombocytosis
• Slight elevations in one or more of the hepatic enzymes

Drug interactions

• aminoglycoside antibacterial drugs
• furosemide
• chloramphenicol

Key clinical trials

• Individualized Precision Therapy With Ceftazidime and Avibactam Guided by PK/PD in Geriatric Populations
• Early Versus Late Stopping of Antibiotics in Children With Cancer and High-risk Febrile Neutropenia (PHASE4)
• Optimizing the Diagnostic Approach to Cephalosporin Allergy Testing (PHASE2)
• Different Administration Regimens of CAZ-AVI in Combination With ATM for the Treatment of CR-GNB (PHASE4)
• PK/PD of Ceftazidime Avitbatan Sodium in Children With Severe Infection
• Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of BV100 Plus Low Dose Polymyxin B Plus Ceftazidime/Avibactam, or Plus Cefiderocol in Patients With Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Infections Due to Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex (PHASE2)
• A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Meropenem and Pralurbactam in HABP/VABP (PHASE3)
• Oral Hygiene and Prophylactic Antibiotics to Prevent Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated Pneumonia (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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