Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Fortaz
What is FORTAZ used for?
FORTAZ treats infections in different parts of the body:
- lungs and lower airways (lower respiratory tract)
- bladder (urinary tract)
- skin
- blood (sepsis)
- bone
- around the inner organs (peritonitis)
- around the brain (meningitis)
FORTAZ may also be used to treat other infections caused by certain bacteria.
Antibacterial drugs like FORTAZ treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
How does FORTAZ work?
- FORTAZ contains a medicine called ceftazidime. It is an antibiotic. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause some infections.
What are the ingredients in FORTAZ?
Medicinal ingredient: ceftazidime (as pentahydrate)
Non-medicinal ingredient: sodium carbonate
FORTAZ comes in the following dosage forms:
- FORTAZ powder (1g, 2g, 6g vials)
Do not use FORTAZ if:
- you or your child are allergic to ceftazidime, cephalosporin antibiotics, or any of the ingredients in FORTAZ. See What are the ingredients in FORTAZ.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take FORTAZ. Talk about any health conditions or problems you or your child may have, including if you:
- have had allergic reactions to other medicines (such as antibiotics)
- have had gastrointestinal disease; severe diarrhea or colitis
- have had anemia (low blood iron) after taking antibiotics like FORTAZ
have kidney disease or are elderly; your doctor may lower your dose of
FORTAZ
- need a low salt intake
are pregnant, or think you could be, or if you are planning to become pregnant
- are breast-feeding; you must check with your doctor before you take FORTAZ, as the medicine can pass into breast milk
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you or your child takes, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with FORTAZ:
- other antibiotics (such as chloramphenicol or aminoglycosides)
- a type of water pills (known as loop diuretics, for example furosemide)
- birth control pills (contraceptive pills) may be less effective. If you are taking “the pill” while you are being treated with FORTAZ you also need to use a barrier method of contraception (like condoms). Ask your doctor for advice.
If you or your child need a blood or urine test tell the person taking the sample that you have been given FORTAZ. FORTAZ can change how some blood tests (Coombs), or urine tests for sugar (Benedict’s or Fehling’s) work.
How to take FORTAZ:
- FORTAZ is given by a doctor or nurse as an injection or infusion (drip) into a vein or an injection into a muscle.Although you may feel better early in treatment your doctor will continue to treat you with FORTAZ until the infection clears up.
- Misuse or overuse of FORTAZ could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by FORTAZ (resistance). This means that FORTAZ may not work for you in the future.
If you have any questions about your dose of FORTAZ or how FORTAZ is given, ask your doctor or nurse.
Usual dose:
Your doctor will decide on the correct dose of FORTAZ depending on:
- the severity and type of your infection
- your age
- how well your kidneys are working
FORTAZ is usually given 2 - 4 times a day for 7 – 14 days.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much FORTAZ, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
What are possible side effects from using FORTAZ?
Like all medicines, FORTAZ can cause side effects. These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking FORTAZ. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- swelling, redness, or pain near the injection site
- diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache
- changes in blood or urine test results (noticed by your healthcare provider)
- white spots in the mouth or throat (yeast infection, thrush)
- vaginal yeast infection (in women)
- headache, dizziness
- blurred vision
- flushing (redness)
- bad taste in the mouth
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Blood problems: with symptoms like bleeding or bruising more easily than usual, or blood clotting too easily. | X | ||
Pseudomembranous colitis (digestive system problems): with symptoms like severe diarrhea, usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain and fever. | X | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
Allergic reaction: raised, itchy rash and/or swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth (angioedema), causing difficulty in breathing; collapse; low blood pressure that can cause lightheadedness on standing up. | X | ||
Serious skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals. Erythema Multiforme: skin rash, which may blister, and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge). Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling on much of the body surface. | X | ||
Central Nervous System: problems such as tremors, twitching, seeing things that are not there, tingling, convulsions (fits or seizures), or coma. Particularly in people with kidney disease. | X | ||
| Liver problems: with symptoms such as yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin. | X | ||
| Hemolytic Anemia (blood system problems): low blood cell numbers which may cause weakness, or shortness of breath. | X | ||
| Infection: fever, high heart rate, feeling unwell, or other signs of new or ongoing infection. | X |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting
(https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Do not use FORTAZ after the expiry date shown on the pack.
Protect from light.
If you want more information about FORTAZ:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website www.gsk.ca, or by calling 1-800-387-7374.
Last Revised AUGUST-16-2018
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