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Prescription medication · Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor

ceftazidime/avibactam

Also sold as Avycaz. Avycaz treats complicated infections in the stomach area and urinary tract.

Data updated 2026-05-15

3,178
FDA reports
2
InteractionsFew interactions
Rx
Availability

What the data shows

ceftazidime/avibactam (Avycaz) is a prescription Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor, with 3,178 FDA adverse-event reports on file, with 2 documented drug interactions.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

ceftazidime/avibactam (Avycaz) is a prescription Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor. Avycaz treats complicated infections in the stomach area and urinary tract.

Avycaz is a drug that combines two medicines, ceftazidime and avibactam. It fights certain bacterial infections.

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What it does

Avycaz treats complicated infections in the stomach area and urinary tract.

Common side effects

Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting

Key warnings

Avycaz may cause a lower clinical response in adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections and kidney problems.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from ceftazidime/avibactam's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Ceftazidime kills bacteria by attacking their cell walls. Avibactam helps ceftazidime work better by blocking certain enzymes that bacteria use to resist antibiotics. This allows ceftazidime to effectively kill the bacteria.

How to Take It

Avycaz is given through a vein (IV) over 2 hours. The usual dose for adults is 2.5 grams every 8 hours. For stomach infections, you will also get another medicine called metronidazole. The length of treatment depends on the type of infection, but is usually 5-14 days.

This is a plain-language summary of ceftazidime/avibactam's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It is not known if Avycaz will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ceftazidime passes into breast milk, but it is not known if avibactam does. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Avycaz.

This is a plain-language summary of ceftazidime/avibactam's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor right away if you miss a dose. They will tell you when to get your next dose.

This is a plain-language summary of ceftazidime/avibactam's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Store Avycaz vials at room temperature, away from light, and in the original carton until use.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 3,178 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for ceftazidime/avibactam, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Serious Warnings

Avycaz may cause a lower clinical response in adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections and kidney problems. Your kidney function should be checked daily. The dose of Avycaz may need to be adjusted if you have kidney problems. Avycaz can also cause severe allergic reactions and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Seizures and other nervous system problems can also occur, especially if you have kidney problems.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate probenecid

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Probenecid In vitro , avibactam is a substrate of OAT1 and OAT3 transporters which might contribute to the active uptake from the blood compartment, and thereby its excretion. As a potent OAT inhibitor, probenecid inhibits OAT uptake of avibactam by 56% to 70% in vitro and, therefore, has the potential to decrease the elimination of avibactam when co-administered. Because a clinical interaction study of AVYCAZ or avibactam alone with probenecid has not been conducted, co-administration of AVYCAZ with probenecid is not recommended [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .

Mechanism: Probenecid blocks the body's ability to move the antibiotic out of the blood and into the urine. This causes the antibiotic levels to stay too high for too long.

What to do: This combination is not recommended. Talk to your doctor about using a different medication.

minor ceftazidime

7.2 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions The administration of ceftazidime may result in a false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine with certain methods.

Mechanism: This medicine can interfere with certain lab tests, making it look like there is sugar in your urine when there is not.

What to do: Inform your healthcare provider that you are taking this medication before you have any urine tests performed.

This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.

Common Questions

What should I tell my doctor before taking Avycaz?
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines, especially cephalosporins, penicillins, or carbapenems. Also, tell them if you have kidney problems, seizures, or a history of diarrhea.
Can Avycaz cause an allergic reaction?
Yes, Avycaz can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, swelling, or trouble breathing.
What are the symptoms of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD)?
Symptoms of CDAD include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever. If you develop these symptoms while taking Avycaz, tell your doctor right away.
Does Avycaz interact with other medications?
Yes, Avycaz can interact with certain medications, such as probenecid. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How long will I need to take Avycaz?
The length of treatment with Avycaz depends on the type and severity of your infection. Your doctor will determine how long you need to take the medication.
What if my kidney function is not normal?
Your doctor will monitor your kidney function and adjust the dose of Avycaz if needed.
Can Avycaz affect lab test results?
Yes, Avycaz may cause a false-positive result for glucose in the urine with certain tests. Make sure your doctor knows you are taking Avycaz before any lab tests.
What if I am breastfeeding?
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Avycaz while breastfeeding.
Can Avycaz cause seizures?
Yes, seizures and other nervous system problems can occur, especially in patients with kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures.
How is Avycaz given?
Avycaz is given through a needle into your vein (IV) over 2 hours.
What are the common side effects of ceftazidime/avibactam?
The most commonly reported side effects of ceftazidime/avibactam include Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash, Irritation at the injection site. Based on 3,178 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does ceftazidime/avibactam interact with other medications?
Yes, ceftazidime/avibactam has 2 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include probenecid, ceftazidime. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is ceftazidime/avibactam?
ceftazidime/avibactam belongs to the Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Avycaz treats complicated infections in the stomach area and urinary tract.
Is ceftazidime/avibactam safe during pregnancy?
It is not known if Avycaz will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor

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What the FDA Data Shows for ceftazidime/avibactam

The FDA label for ceftazidime/avibactam (sold under brand names such as Avycaz) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Cephalosporin / Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor class. Avycaz treats complicated infections in the stomach area and urinary tract. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,178 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: April 25, 2025

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page