ABSTRACT
Ceftazidime is a semisynthetic third-generation cephalosporin with notable activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (O’Callaghan et al., 1980; Verbist and Verhaegen, 1981). This drug is a parenteral antibiotic administered as a monosodium salt because it is highly soluble in water. It is hydrolyzed by a variety of beta-lactamases, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC beta-lactamases and most of the carbapenemases. The beta-lactamase inhibitor avibactam has been added to ceftazidime to restore activity lost by the effects of beta-lactamases. Ceftazidime–avibactam is now approved for use (Falcone and Paterson, 2016) and will be described in detail later in this chapter.
