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Avycaz is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic that is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects are much less common, but can include a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Tell your health care provider right away if you get watery or bloody diarrhea even up to two months after stopping this medicine.

Uses

What is Avycaz used for?

Avycaz (ceftazidime/avibactam) is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following types of infections caused by certain bacteria (bacterial infection).

Avycaz may not be the right drug for some infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Avycaz, which will make it not work as well.

Avycaz may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Avycaz work (mechanism of action)?

Avycaz contains two medicines, ceftazidime and avibactam. Ceftazidime, an antibiotic, kills certain bacteria by preventing them from making their cell wall. Some bacteria can produce substances, called beta-lactamases, that reduce the effects of certain antibiotics, like ceftazidime. Avibactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It blocks these substances so that ceftazidime can keep working.

How is Avycaz supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Avycaz

Dosage forms and strengths

Avycaz is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Avycaz?

Avycaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Avycaz?

The most common side effects of Avycaz are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the age of the person and the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near where the needle went in

There may be other side effects of Avycaz that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Avycaz?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Avycaz are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Avycaz may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Avycaz and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Severe Skin Reactions. Avycaz can cause severe skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop Avycaz and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Avycaz. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Seizures. Some people who have used Avycaz have reported having seizures, especially if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop using Avycaz and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Central Nervous System (CNS) Problems. Avycaz can affect your brain or CNS. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Avycaz?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Avycaz.

  • Avibactam
  • Avycaz
  • Ceftazidime
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Avycaz.

What should I know about Avycaz before using it?

Avycaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Avycaz only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other non-bacterial infections. Using Avycaz or any other antibiotic when it is not needed (infections other than those caused by bacteria, or the lack of an infection in general) may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Avycaz?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Avycaz is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Any allergies, especially to other antibiotics
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • Kidney problems
  • Seizures

Other Medicines and Supplements. Avycaz may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Avycaz, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Avycaz could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Avycaz passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Avycaz while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Avycaz?

For more information about Avycaz, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.avycaz.com or call them at 800-255-5162.

Interactions

Does Avycaz interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Avycaz and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Avycaz, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does Avycaz interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Avycaz. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Avycaz?

If you or someone else has used too much Avycaz, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Avycaz?

Avycaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Avycaz as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Avycaz, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Avycaz or other similar medicines.