Ceftazidime-avibactam (Avycaz) is an intravenous antibiotic combining a third-generation cephalosporin (inhibits cross-linking of peptidoglycan used to form the bacterial cell wall) with a β-lactamase inhibitor (inhibits a bacterial enzyme which degrades β-lactam antibiotics).
Avycaz is used to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections (often with metronidazole), complicated urinary tract infections, and hospital-acquired pneumonia. After consultation with my infectious disease colleagues, I most often use Avycaz for strains of Klebsiella, E. coli, and Pseudomonas that are resistant to more conventional antibiotic therapies in the ICU.
Side effects include hypersensitivity reactions, C. difficile diarrhea (which can be attributed to most systemic antibiotics), and central nervous system reactions like seizures especially in patients with renal impairment (dose adjustments are necessary).
