Ceftazidime is a commonly used antibiotic medication used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. The word is pronounced as /sɛfˈtæzɪdaɪm/, which can be broken down into individual phonetic symbols. The "c" is pronounced as /s/, the "e" as /ɛ/, the "f" as /f/, the "t" as /t/, the "a" as /æ/, the "z" as /z/, the "i" as /ɪ/, the "d" as /d/, the "i" as /aɪ/, and finally, the "m" as /m/. The spelling of ceftazidime can be quite challenging due to the combination of letters that are not commonly seen together.
Ceftazidime is a potent and broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the cephalosporin family. It is primarily used in the treatment of various bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms.
Ceftazidime exerts its antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It achieves this by binding to and inhibiting an enzyme called penicillin-binding protein (PBP) and disrupting the transpeptidation process, essential for the formation of the bacterial cell wall. Specifically, ceftazidime is effective against gram-negative bacteria, including strains that are resistant to other antibiotics.
This antibiotic is commonly prescribed to treat serious infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, and septicemia, among others. It is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly under medical supervision.
Like most antibiotics, ceftazidime may cause side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, and fever. Serious allergic reactions are possible but rare. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness and minimize the risk of developing bacterial resistance.
Ceftazidime is considered a third-generation cephalosporin and is generally effective against a wide range of bacteria, with certain strains being resistant due to acquired mechanisms. It is often used in combination with other antibiotics to enhance its effectiveness, particularly in the case of severe infections. Overall, ceftazidime is a widely-used and important tool in the fight against bacterial infections.
The word "ceftazidime" is derived from the combination of two parts: "cef-" and "-tazidime".
The prefix "cef-" refers to the cephalosporin antibiotic class to which ceftazidime belongs. Cephalosporins are a group of antibiotics derived from the fungus Cephalosporium.
The second part, "-tazidime", is derived from the name of the chemical compound "tazidime", which is the active ingredient in ceftazidime. However, the origin or specific meaning of "tazidime" itself is not readily apparent.
So, the word "ceftazidime" is a combination of the cef- prefix indicating its cephalosporin nature and the -tazidime suffix related to the specific compound used in the antibiotic.