What is Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Aztreonam is an antibiotic that fights severe or life-threatening infection caused by bacteria.

Aztreonam is used to treat severe infections of the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, stomach, female reproductive organs, and other body systems.

Aztreonam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Azactam (Aztreonam)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam or to a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using aztreonam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others, or if you have liver or kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Aztreonam will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking aztreonam and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Azactam (Aztreonam)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam or to a penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox)
• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen)
• carbenicillin (Geocillin)
• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen)
• oxacillin (Bactocill); or
• penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others)

Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs, especially:

• cephalosporins such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others; or
• similar antibiotics such as ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Marum)

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need an aztreonam dose adjustment or special tests:

• liver disease
• kidney disease; or
• a history of any type of allergy

FDA pregnancy category B. Aztreonam is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Aztreonam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Azactam Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• confusion, seizure (convulsions)
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach discomfort
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
• dizziness
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain
• mild skin rash or itching
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• pain, swelling, or irritation around the IV needle

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Azactam Interactions

What other drugs affect Azactam (Aztreonam)?

The following drugs can interact with aztreonam. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• amikacin (Amikin)
• gentamicin (Garamycin)
• kanamycin (Kantrex)
• neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab)
• streptomycin; or
• tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi)

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with aztreonam. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking aztreonam and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Azactam Dosage

How should I take Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Aztreonam is injected into a muscle or a vein. Aztreonam is usually given in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine may need to be given for several hours or several weeks, depending on how severe your infection is.

You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Aztreonam is usually given as long as needed until your infection has cleared or you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Use aztreonam for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Aztreonam will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Aztreonam is supplied as a frozen solution in a plastic container. If you use this medicine at home, store the frozen medicine in a freezer. If possible, keep the freezer set at 4 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit or colder.

Thaw the medicine either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly. Aztreonam that is thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 2 weeks.

If you have thawed the medicine at room temperature, you must use it within 48 hours.

Once aztreonam has been thawed, it should be clear and appear colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it, or if the medicine container leaks. Call your doctor or pharmacist for a new prescription.

What happens if I overdose on Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if I miss a dose of Azactam (Aztreonam)?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com