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Overview: Cayston is an inhaled antibiotic used to improve breathing in people with cystic fibrosis who have a lung infection caused by certain bacteria. Common side effects include coughing, wheezing, stuffy nose, throat pain, fever, chest discomfort, stomach pain, and vomiting. If you use other medicines for cystic fibrosis, talk with your health care provider about when to use each of them and in what order. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a rash.

Uses

What is Cayston used for?

Cayston (aztreonam for nebulization) is commonly used to improve breathing in people with cystic fibrosis who have a lung infection caused by a specific bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

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

Cayston may not be right for infections other than what is stated above. Using it for other infections may lead to resistance to Cayston, which will make it not work as well.

How does Cayston work (mechanism of action)?

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

How is Cayston supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Cayston

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 75 mg/vial for inhalation solution (with nebulizer)

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

How should I store Cayston?

Cayston vials and saline ampules (diluent) should be stored in the refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C) until ready to use. Once removed from the refrigerator, they can be stored at room temperature, up to 77 F (25 C), for as long as 28 days. Protect from light. Store the Cayston vials and diluent ampules together.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Cayston?

The most common side effects of Cayston are listed below. Side effects may vary based on the age of the person using the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Stuffy nose
  • Throat pain
  • Fever
  • Chest discomfort
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

There may be other side effects of Cayston 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 Cayston?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cayston may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Cayston and 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

Breathing Problems. Cayston may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Follow any instructions from your health care provider to reduce your risk of breathing problems. This may include using one of your breathing medicines before using Cayston. Call your health care provider right away if you have trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness right after using Cayston.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Cayston?

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

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

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Cayston.

What should I know about Cayston before using it?

Do not use Cayston unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Cayston with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Cayston out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Cayston 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 also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using Cayston or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

You should only use Cayston with the Altera Nebulizer System. Do not use Cayston with any other nebulizer. Read and follow the instructions and make sure you understand how to use it properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

Cayston comes as a kit, with a vial of medicine and an ampule of saline to mix with it. The medicine needs to be mixed with saline before you use it. Mix Cayston with the saline right before you are ready to use it. Do not mix more than one dose at a time. Do not mix Cayston with any other medicine in the nebulizer. Ask your health care provider if you have any questions about preparing Cayston doses.

If you notice that the saline or prepared Cayston is cloudy or has particles in it, do not use it.

If you use other medicines for cystic fibrosis, talk with your health care provider about when to use each of them and in what order. Do not stop or change any medicines you take for cystic fibrosis without talking to your health care provider first.

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

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 Cayston is right for you.

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

Antibiotic Allergy. Tell your health care provider if you have had an allergic reaction to any antibiotics. People who are allergic to certain antibiotics may be at a higher risk of having an allergic reaction to Cayston.

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

Breastfeeding. Cayston may pass 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 Cayston while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Cayston?

For more information about Cayston, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.cayston.com or call them at 650-574-3000.

Interactions

Does Cayston interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Cayston interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Cayston and other medicines. 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.

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 Cayston?

If you or someone else has used too much Cayston, 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 Cayston?

If you miss a dose of Cayston, you should still use all three doses that day, as long as the doses are separated by at least four hours. Do not use double or extra doses. Contact your health care provider if you are not sure what to do after a missed dose.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Cayston, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk of future infections being resistant to Cayston or other similar medicines.