What is aztreonam?

Aztreonam is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.

Aztreonam is used to treat severe infections of the blood, urinary tract, lungs, skin, stomach, or female reproductive organs.

Aztreonam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use aztreonam if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease; or

• any type of allergy.

Especially tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs, including:

• similar antibiotics such as ertapenem, imipenem, or meropenem;

• a cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefdinir, cefprozil, cephalexin , Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others; or

• a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, ticarcillin, Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag, and others.

It is not known whether aztreonam will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Aztreonam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 9 months old.

Aztreonam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• wheezing, chest pain;

• easy bruising or bleeding;

• a seizure; or

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• rash;

• vaginal itching or discharge; or

• pain, bruising, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected.

What other drugs will affect aztreonam?

Other drugs may affect aztreonam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.