2.1 Adult and Pediatric Patients (Who Require the Full Adult Dose)
Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP in the DUPLEX® Container should be used only in patients who require the entire 1 or 2 gram dose and not any fraction thereof. Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP should be administered intravenously (IV) over approximately 30 minutes.
The guidelines for dosage of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP are listed in Table 1. The following dosage schedule is recommended.
Table 1: Recommended Dosage Schedule for Creatinine Clearance greater than 50 mL/min
Adults
Dose
Frequency
Bone and joint infections
2 grams IV
every 12hr
Uncomplicated pneumonia; mild skin and skin-structure infections
500 mg*–1 gram IV
every 8hr
Serious gynecologic and intra-abdominal infections
2 grams IV
every 8hr
Meningitis
2 grams IV
every 8hr
Very severe life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised patients
2 grams IV
every 8hr
* Use this formulation of ceftazidime only in patients who require the entire 1 or 2 gram dose and not any fraction thereof.
2.2 Pediatric Population
Ceftazidime for Injection and Dextrose Injection in the DUPLEX® Container is designed to deliver a 1 g or 2 g dose of ceftazidime. To prevent unintentional overdose, this product should not be used in pediatric patients who require less than the full adult dose of ceftazidime [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]
2.3 Patients with Renal Impairment
Ceftazidime for Injection and Dextrose Injection in the DUPLEX® Container is designed to deliver a 1 g or 2 g dose of ceftazidime. To prevent unintentional overdose, this product should not be used in patients with creatinine clearance less than or equal to 15 mL/min who require less than a 1 g dose of ceftazidime.
In patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance less than or equal to 50 mL/min), it is recommended that the dosage of ceftazidime be reduced to compensate for its slower excretion. In patients with suspected renal insufficiency, an initial loading dose of 1 gram of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP may be given. An estimate of creatinine clearance should be made to determine the appropriate maintenance dosage. The recommended dosage is presented in Table 2.
Table 2: Recommended Maintenance Dosages of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP in Renal Insufficiency
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min)
Recommended Unit Dose of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP
Frequency of Dosing
50–31
1 gram
every 12hr
30–16
1 gram
every 24hr
NOTE: IF THE DOSE RECOMMENDED IN TABLE 1 ABOVE IS LOWER THAN THAT RECOMMENDED FOR PATIENTS WITH RENAL INSUFFICIENCY AS OUTLINED IN TABLE 2, THE LOWER DOSE SHOULD BE USED.
When only serum creatinine is available, the following formula (Cockcroft's equation)5 may be used to estimate creatinine clearance. The serum creatinine should represent a steady state of renal function:
Males:
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) =
Weight (kg) × (140-age)
72 × serum creatinine (mg/dL)
Females:
0.85 × above value
In patients with severe infections who would normally receive 2 grams IV every 8hr of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP were it not for renal insufficiency, the unit dose given in the table above may be increased by 50% or the dosing frequency may be increased appropriately. Further dosing should be determined by therapeutic monitoring, severity of the infection, and susceptibility of the causative organism.
The creatinine clearance should be adjusted for body surface area or lean body mass, and the dosing frequency should be reduced in cases of renal insufficiency.
In patients undergoing hemodialysis, a loading dose of 1 gram is recommended, followed by 1 gram after each hemodialysis period.
2.4 Preparation for Use of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP in DUPLEX® Container
This reconstituted solution is for intravenous use only.
Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use would result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before administration of the fluid from the secondary container is complete. If administration is controlled by a pumping device, care must be taken to discontinue pumping action before the container runs dry or air embolism may result.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Use only if solution is clear and container and seals are intact.
DUPLEX® Container Storage
To avoid inadvertent activation, the DUPLEX® Container should remain in the folded position until activation is intended.
Patient Labeling and Drug Powder/Diluent Inspection
Apply patient-specific label on foil side of container. Use care to avoid activation. Do not cover any portion of foil strip with patient label.
Unlatch side tab and unfold DUPLEX® Container (see Diagram 1).
Visually inspect diluent chamber for particulate matter.
Use only if container and seals are intact.
To inspect the drug powder for foreign matter or discoloration, peel foil strip from drug chamber (see Diagram 2).
Protect from light after removal of foil strip.
Note: If foil strip is removed, the container should be re-folded and the side tab latched until ready to activate. The product must then be used within 7 days, but not beyond the labeled expiration date.
Reconstitution (Activation)
Do not use directly after storage by refrigeration, allow the product to equilibrate to room temperature before patient use.
Unfold the DUPLEX® Container and point the set port in a downward direction. Starting at the hanger tab end, fold the DUPLEX® Container just below the diluent meniscus trapping all air above the fold. To activate, squeeze the folded diluent chamber until the seal between the diluent and powder opens, releasing diluent into the drug powder chamber (see Diagram 3).
Agitate the liquid-powder mixture until the drug powder is completely dissolved.
Note: Following reconstitution (activation), product must be used within 12 hours if stored at room temperature or within 3 days if stored under refrigeration.
Administration
Visually inspect the reconstituted solution for particulate matter.
Point the set port in a downwards direction. Starting at the hanger tab end, fold the DUPLEX® Container just below the solution meniscus trapping all air above the fold. Squeeze the folded DUPLEX® Container until the seal between reconstituted drug solution and set port opens, releasing liquid to set port (see Diagram 4).
Prior to attaching the IV set, check for minute leaks by squeezing container firmly. If leaks are found, discard container and solution as sterility may be compromised.
Using aseptic technique, peel foil cover from the set port and attach sterile administration set (see Diagram 5).
Refer to directions for use accompanying the administration set.
Important Administration Instructions
Do not use in series connections.
Do not introduce additives into the DUPLEX® Container.
Administer Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP intravenously over approximately 30 minutes.
Intermittent intravenous infusion with a Y-type administration set can be accomplished with compatible solutions. However, during infusion of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP, it is advisable to discontinue the other solution.
Vancomycin solution exhibits a physical incompatibility when mixed with a number of drugs, including ceftazidime. The likelihood of precipitation with ceftazidime is dependent on the concentrations of vancomycin and ceftazidime present. It is therefore recommended, when both drugs are to be administered by intermittent IV infusion, that they be given separately, flushing the IV lines (with 1 of the compatible IV fluids) between the administration of these 2 agents.
Note: Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter before administration whenever solution and container permit. Solutions of Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP should not be added to solutions of aminoglycoside antibacterials because of potential inactivation. If concurrent therapy with Ceftazidime for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP and an aminoglycoside is indicated, each of these antibacterials should be administered separately to the same patient.
The IV route is preferable for patients with bacterial septicemia, bacterial meningitis, peritonitis, or other severe or life-threatening infections, or for patients who may be poor risks because of lowered resistance resulting from such debilitating conditions as malnutrition, trauma, surgery, diabetes, heart failure, or malignancy, particularly if shock is present or pending.