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Overview: Aztreonam is an antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. Common side effects include swelling or discomfort at the injection site, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Tell your health care provider right away if you get severe diarrhea, even several months after stopping the medicine.

Uses

What is aztreonam used for?

Aztreonam is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Aztreonam may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Aztreonam may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to aztreonam, which will make it not work as well.

How does aztreonam work (mechanism of action)?

Aztreonam kills certain bacteria by preventing them from creating their cell wall. Without a cell wall, bacteria cannot survive and grow.

How is aztreonam supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Azactam

Dosage forms and strengths

Aztreonam is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

Aztreonam is also available in a form that is inhaled. See Cayston for more information.

How should I store aztreonam?

Aztreonam is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store aztreonam at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of aztreonam?

The most common side effects of aztreonam are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Inflammation or discomfort at the injection site
  • A clot in the blood vessel where aztreonam is given (thrombophlebitis)
  • Diarrhea 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of aztreonam that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of aztreonam?

While less common, the most serious side effects of aztreonam are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Aztreonam may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including aztreonam. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Another Infection. Using aztreonam may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your health care provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use aztreonam?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use aztreonam.

  • Azactam
  • Aztreonam
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific aztreonam products they stock.

What should I know about aztreonam before using it?

Aztreonam is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Azteonam only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, flu, or coronavirus. It will also not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using aztreonam or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using aztreonam?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if aztreonam is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Aztreonam may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using aztreonam, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Allergy to other antibiotics
  • Liver or kidney problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how aztreonam could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Aztreonam passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use aztreonam while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does aztreonam interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between aztreonam and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect aztreonam, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does aztreonam interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using an aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin or gentamicin, which is given by injection to treat infections, before using aztreonam.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with aztreonam. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much aztreonam?

If you or someone else has used too much aztreonam, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of aztreonam?

Aztreonam is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving aztreonam as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your aztreonam dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. It is important to complete your prescribed course of aztreonam, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to aztreonam or other similar medicines.