Ceftazidime and Pregnancy

Is Ceftazidime Safe During Pregnancy?

Ceftazidime (Fortaz^®, Tazicef^®) is a prescription antibiotic used to treat serious or potentially serious infections. It is given by intramuscular injection or intravenously (by IV). Ceftazidime is usually considered safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not yet known.

 

What Is Pregnancy Category B?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been adequately studied in pregnant humans but do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.

 

Medications that have been shown to be safe for use in pregnancy in humans but have caused problems in laboratory animals are also given a pregnancy Category B rating.

 

Ceftazidime was given a pregnancy Category B rating because studies in pregnant rats and mice showed no problems, even when used at doses equivalent to 40 times the human dose. However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B drug should be given to a pregnant woman only if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.

 

Ceftazidime crosses the placenta in humans but is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, especially since the benefits for treating serious infections usually outweigh possible risks.