Aztreonam
Trade Name:
Azactam
Type of Drug:
Aztreonam is an antibiotic.
How Drug Works:
Aztreonam stops bacteria from making their protein cell wall, so the bacteria die. Aztreonam is used to treat gram-negative infections of the urinary and lower respiratory tract, infections involving the female reproductive organs, abdomen, and infections throughout the body (septicemia).
How Drug Is Given:
Aztreonam is given by an injection in the vein over 20 to 60 minutes, or as an injection into a muscle 2 to 4 times a day. The dose and length of treatment depend on the type of infection.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you have any drug allergies, especially to antibiotic drugs.
All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, hives, red blotches on your skin, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness.
Use of antibiotics can change the normal organisms your body. Women are at risk of getting fungal infections. Tell your nurse or doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.
DO NOT drink alcohol until 3 days after you stop taking this drug. It can cause a dangerous drug interaction (flushing, throbbing headache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, chest pain, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, “black out,” weakness, and blurred vision).
Patients with kidney or liver problems should use this drug with caution.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
• Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
• Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
• They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
Less Common Side Effects
  • Vaginal itching
  • Vaginal candidiasis (fungal infection)
Rare Side Effects
  • Diarrhea related to infection of the intestinal lining (pseudomembranous colitis)
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
  • Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
  • Decreased platelet count with increased risk of anemia and tiredness (fatigue)
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Sleepiness
  • Irritation of the vein used for giving the drug
  • Pain and swelling at place of injection
  • Change in blood pressure and heart rate
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you get diarrhea that does not stop, abdominal cramping, and blood and/or pus in the stool. This needs to be treated right away.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes