Ceftazidime Coupons & Prices

Use a free Rx.com ceftazidime coupon to compare cash prices on this injectable antibiotic at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide. Ceftazidime is the generic form of the third-generation cephalosporin sold under brand names such as Fortaz and Tazicef, and because the generic is widely available, the cash price is usually far below the brand. Prices still vary a great deal from one pharmacy to the next, even in the same town, so it pays to compare. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's ceftazidime price near you and print, text, or email your coupon at no cost.

What is ceftazidime and how does it work?

Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, part of the beta-lactam family. It kills bacteria by interfering with the way they build their cell walls, so the bacteria cannot hold together and survive. It is best known for being active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a hard-to-treat bacterium, which is why it is a mainstay when doctors need broad anti-pseudomonal coverage.

Ceftazidime is given only by injection into a vein (IV) or into a muscle (IM), or as a premixed IV solution. There is no pill or liquid form you can swallow. The FDA has approved it for serious infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia (including infections in people with cystic fibrosis), skin and skin-structure infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint infections, gynecologic infections, intra-abdominal infections such as peritonitis, and central nervous system infections including meningitis. Like all antibiotics, ceftazidime does not treat colds, the flu, or other viral illnesses.

Ceftazidime cost and how to save without insurance

Ceftazidime is available as an FDA-approved generic, so it is already one of the lower-cost options in its class compared with brand-name Fortaz or Tazicef. Even so, the cash price for the same vial and the same strength can differ widely from pharmacy to pharmacy, which is exactly why comparing before you fill matters. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and shows you the discounted cash price at each one.

A few honest notes if you are paying without insurance. Ceftazidime is an injectable drug, so it is often given in a hospital, clinic, or infusion center, and in that setting it is billed as part of your care rather than picked up at a retail counter. If your prescriber sends ceftazidime to a retail or home-infusion pharmacy, a discount coupon can be used there. There is no manufacturer savings card for generic ceftazidime. Our coupon is free, requires no membership, and can be used instead of insurance if the cash price is lower. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you.

Ceftazidime vs. other cephalosporins and alternatives

Cephalosporins are grouped by "generations," and each generation covers a somewhat different set of bacteria. Your prescriber picks one based on the infection, the likely bacteria, your allergy history, and your kidney function. Ceftazidime's distinguishing feature is its anti-pseudomonal activity.

• Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin that also covers Pseudomonas and adds more coverage of certain gram-positive bacteria.
• Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin used very widely, but it is not reliable against Pseudomonas. It can often be given once a day.
• Cefotaxime is another third-generation injectable cephalosporin without anti-pseudomonal coverage.
• Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin used mainly for skin infections and surgical prevention.
• Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin available in both injectable and oral forms.
• Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (a different class) that also has activity against Pseudomonas and comes in oral and IV forms.

Ceftazidime is also one half of the separate combination brand drug Avycaz (ceftazidime/avibactam), which pairs it with a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Avycaz is its own brand product and is not interchangeable with plain ceftazidime. These drugs are not swappable on your own, so never substitute one antibiotic for another without your prescriber.

Ceftazidime safety and side effects

Ceftazidime has no boxed warning, but there are important risks to know about. Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can happen, so tell your care team about any prior reaction to a cephalosporin or penicillin. Cross-reactivity may occur in up to about 10% of people who are allergic to penicillin, so a careful allergy history is required before the first dose. Antibiotics such as ceftazidime can also cause Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis, which can be serious and may appear up to two months after treatment ends. Report any watery or bloody diarrhea to your provider rather than treating it yourself.

Ceftazidime is cleared by the kidneys, and if it builds up in people with reduced kidney function it can cause neurologic problems such as seizures, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, encephalopathy, coma, asterixis, muscle twitching, or myoclonia. The dose must be lowered based on creatinine clearance, so your kidney function should be checked. Other reported effects include injection-site pain or vein irritation, rash, transient increases in liver enzymes, rare hemolytic anemia and other blood problems (prothrombin time may be monitored in at-risk patients), severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or DRESS, and overgrowth of organisms the drug does not cover. Kidney-injury risk goes up when ceftazidime is used with aminoglycoside antibiotics or potent diuretics, and ceftazidime may reduce the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives. Finish the entire prescribed course, even if you feel better. This page is general information, not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.