Final answer:
Ceftazidime is contraindicated in patients with an allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics, as well as those with a severe allergy to penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics due to the risk of cross-reactivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ceftazidime is a type of antibiotic in the cephalosporin class. It is crucial to know if a patient has a specific allergy before prescribing this medication. Ceftazidime is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics, as it may lead to a hypersensitivity reaction. This contraindication also typically extends to those with a known severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics because of the similarity in the chemical structure, as this raises the risk of cross-reactivity between these drugs. If such an allergy is present, alternative antibiotic treatments should be considered to prevent adverse allergic reactions.