What is aztreonam?
Aztreonam is an antibiotic that fights severe or life-threatening infection caused by bacteria.
Aztreonam inhalation is used to improve breathing symptoms in people who have cystic fibrosis and a certain bacteria in their lungs. This medication is for use in adults and children who are at least 7 years old.
Aztreonam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about aztreonam?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam.
Before using aztreonam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any type of antibiotic, especially a cephalosporin (Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others), a penicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Bactocill, Bicillin C-R, Dycill, Dynapen, Omnipen, Principen, PC Pen VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, and others), or similar antibiotics such as Invanz, Primaxin, or Marum.
Use aztreonam 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.
Aztreonam inhalation should be used only with an Altera brand nebulizer. Do not use any other type of nebulizer or inhaler device with this medication. Do not mix other medicines with aztreonam in the nebulizer.
If you use other inhaled medications, you may need to use them in a certain order while using aztreonam inhalation. Ask your doctor for specific instructions about when to use your other medications in relation to your aztreonam inhalation doses.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using aztreonam?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam.
Before using aztreonam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any type of antibiotic, especially:
cephalosporins such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others;
penicillins such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Bicillin C-R, PC Pen VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen), and others; or
similar antibiotics such as ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem).
If you have kidney disease, you may need an aztreonam dose adjustment or special tests.
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.