Medications
Ceftazidime (Tazicef, Fortaz)
A cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection or IV infusion in a clinic or hospital for serious bacterial infections, including lung, skin, urinary, and bloodstream infections.
How Medicare covers it
Usual path Part B (injections and infusions given by a clinician — J0713, see the Part B basis in this package). The Part D aggregation in this package is carried exactly as computed. Part A during a covered inpatient stay.
| Coverage details | |
|---|---|
| Part B status | CMS Part B Spending by Drug HCPCS file (RY26, data through 2024) carries J0713 (ceftazidime): the clinician-administered path is Part B. The ceftazidime/avibactam combination (Avycaz, J0714) is a different product and is explicitly NOT matched. |
| Medicare Advantage | Most Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage (MAPD plans) use the same formulary-and-tier system; the plan's own drug list decides coverage and copay — check the plan's formulary. |
| Medicare Supplement (Medigap) | Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans sold today do not include prescription drug coverage; drug coverage comes from Part D or an MAPD plan. |
What it treats
Ceftazidime (Tazicef) treats serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, skin and skin-structure infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial septicemia (blood infection), bone and joint infections, gynecologic infections, intra-abdominal infections, and central nervous system infections including meningitis. It does not treat viral infections such as colds or flu.
What it is for, in depth
Ceftazidime, sold as Tazicef and Fortaz, is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible bacteria. The label lists lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, skin and skin-structure infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial septicemia, which is a blood infection, bone and joint infections, gynecologic infections, intra-abdominal infections, and central nervous system infections including meningitis. It does not treat viral infections such as colds or flu. It is typically prescribed for patients in a clinic or hospital whose infection is serious enough to need an injected antibiotic, with the dose and length of treatment set by the type of infection and by kidney function. It is given as a powder in a vial that is mixed and given by a healthcare professional into a vein or into a muscle. Matched forms include ceftazidime 1000 MG injection, ceftazidime 2000 MG injection, and ceftazidime 200 MG/ML injectable solution, including Tazicef-named forms.
How it works
Ceftazidime is a broad-spectrum beta-lactam (cephalosporin) antibacterial. It kills bacteria by blocking the building of the bacterial cell wall.
How it is taken
It is a powder in a vial that is mixed and given by a healthcare professional into a vein (intravenously) or into a muscle (intramuscularly). The usual adult dose is 1 gram every 8 to 12 hours; the dose and schedule depend on the infection and on kidney function, and the dose is lowered in people with kidney problems.
Common side effects
The most common effects were local reactions after IV injection (pain, phlebitis, and inflammation at the injection site, in fewer than 2% of patients), allergic reactions such as itching, rash, and fever (2%), and stomach and bowel symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (fewer than 2%). Headache, dizziness, and tingling were reported in fewer than 1%.
Serious warnings
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur, especially in people allergic to cephalosporins or penicillins — cross-allergy occurs in up to 10% of people with a penicillin allergy history. Clostridioides difficile diarrhea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis, has been reported and can occur over two months after treatment. High blood levels in people with kidney problems can cause seizures, encephalopathy (confusion and reduced alertness), coma, muscle twitching, and myoclonia, so the dose must be reduced when the kidneys do not work well.
Who should be careful
People who have had an allergic reaction to ceftazidime or any cephalosporin must not take it. People with a penicillin allergy, kidney impairment (dose reduction is needed, and older patients are more likely to have reduced kidney function), or a history of stomach or bowel disease, especially colitis, need extra care. It should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, and caution is advised for nursing mothers because small amounts pass into breast milk.
Major interactions
Using cephalosporins together with aminoglycoside antibiotics or strong water pills such as furosemide has been reported to harm the kidneys, so kidney function should be watched. Chloramphenicol can oppose the bacteria-killing effect of ceftazidime and that combination should be avoided. Ceftazidime can cause a false-positive urine glucose result with CLINITEST tablets, Benedict's solution, or Fehling's solution.
Why it is in its tier
Most listing plans place ceftazidime on Tier 4. It is listed by 100.0% of Part D plans, and 76.4% of those listing plans use Tier 4, so this is a clear majority placement with full listing breadth. Tier 4 is a non-preferred tier, which usually means a higher coinsurance share rather than a small flat copay, so patients often pay more than they would on a lower tier. The data-visible drivers fit that placement: this is a hospital and clinic injected antibiotic for serious infections, in generic and Tazicef-named injection and solution forms, rather than a routine home tablet, even though listing is universal. The CMS dashboard average spending was $301.72 per beneficiary. That dashboard figure is a CMS program average, not a copay, and individual plans vary in what a patient actually pays.
Sources
- TAZICEF- ceftazidime injection, powder, for solution — DailyMed
- MedlinePlus — National Library of Medicine
- MedlinePlus — Ceftazidime Injection
What official patient guides say
Ceftazidime injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and given intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (into a muscle), every 8 or 12 hours; your doctor will decide how long you need treatment. You may receive it in a hospital or administer it at home — if you will be receiving it at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication, and you should be sure you understand those directions and ask if you have any questions. Use ceftazidime injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better; stopping too soon or skipping doses may leave the infection incompletely treated. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose — then skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule; do not use a double dose. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication — store it only as directed and make sure you understand how to store it properly. Dispose of unneeded medication through a medicine take-back program; do not flush it.
Part D formulary coverage
| Formulary summary | |
|---|---|
| Most common tier | 4 |
| Plans listing this drug | 5495 |
| Total Part D plans | 5495 |
| Share of plans listing it | 100 |
| Formularies listing it | 286 |
| Tier | Plans |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 131 plans |
| Tier 2 | 768 plans |
| Tier 3 | 388 plans |
| Tier 4 | 4198 plans |
| Tier 6 | 10 plans |
Source: CMS Prescription Drug Plan Formulary, Pharmacy Network, and Pricing Information Files — Monthly file 2026-10-15 (plan year 2027), file 2027_20261008.zip (data.cms.gov dataset ed1496ea-23e7-41f1-9292-172fa842ccfb): basic drugs formulary file + plan information file, both dated 20261031 inside the zip; downloaded and aggregated 2026-10-30. Medication RxCUI sets resolved through the NLM RxNav (RxNorm) API.
What you pay
| With Medicare Part D | |
|---|---|
| Most common tier | Tier 4 |
| Typical copay | $95 — half of plans charge between $40 and $100 |
| Typical coinsurance | 27.0% of the price |
| Based on | 4135 plans that cover this drug · 2027 plan year |
Without insurance, the cash benchmark is $3.7045 per unit (CEFTAZIDIME 1 GM VIAL) — about $111.13 for 30 units. NADAC benchmark — the average price pharmacies pay (CMS, as of 2026-11-04). Pharmacy shelf prices vary.
A tier is not a price; what you pay depends on your plan, pharmacy, and benefit stage; Extra Help or Medicaid can lower it further.
Sources: CMS Plan Benefit Package + formulary data; CMS NADAC · Checked 2026-11-07
Similar medications
Other medications in the same FDA pharmacologic class (Cephalosporin Antibacterial):
- Cefaclor
- Cefadroxil (Duricef and others)
- Cefazolin sodium injection
- Cefdinir (Omnicef and others)
- Cefepime injection (Maxipime and others)
- Cefixime (Suprax and others)
- Cefotetan
- Cefoxitin
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin and others)
- Ceftaroline fosamil (Teflaro)
- Ceftazidime / avibactam (Avycaz)
- Ceftobiprole Medocaril (Zevtera)
Read next
Part D spending averages (2024)
| Brand name | Generic name | Total claims 2024 | Total spending 2024 | Total beneficiaries 2024 | Rank by beneficiaries 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceftazidime | Ceftazidime | 15704 | 1.71013e+06 | 5668 | 1161 |
| Tazicef* | Ceftazidime | 646 | 33229.9 | 207 | 2454 |
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (Drug Spending Dashboard), release RY26 P04 V10, data through 2024 (DSD_PTD_RY26_P04_V10_DY24_BGM.csv), downloaded 2026-10-30
Companies covering this drug
5,495 plans from 509 companies list this drug on a formulary for 2027. Search by company or plan name, or filter by tier. Cost sharing is the plan's published amount for this drug's tier in the initial coverage stage (1-month retail supply), where the plan publishes it; a blank means the plan does not publish it.
| Company | Plan | Tier | Copay | Coinsurance |
|---|
A tier is not a price; what you pay depends on your plan, pharmacy, and benefit stage; Extra Help or Medicaid can lower it further.
Coverage and costs change. Drug lists (formularies), tiers, and copays can change during the year and differ by plan. Always check with your insurance company or plan directly to confirm what is covered and what you will pay.
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