Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Azactam

Generic Name: aztreonam (injection) (Pronunciation: AZ tree oh nam)

• What is aztreonam (Azactam)?
• What are the possible side effects of aztreonam (Azactam)?
• What is the most important information I should know about aztreonam (Azactam)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using aztreonam (Azactam)?
• How should I use aztreonam (Azactam)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Azactam)?
• What happens if I overdose (Azactam)?
• What should I avoid while using aztreonam (Azactam)?
• What other drugs will affect aztreonam (Azactam)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is aztreonam (Azactam)?

Aztreonam is an antibiotic that fights severe or life-threatening infection caused by bacteria.

Aztreonam is used to treat severe infections of the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, stomach, female reproductive organs, and other body systems.

Aztreonam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of aztreonam (Azactam)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• confusion, seizure (convulsions);
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach discomfort;
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
• dizziness;
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain;
• mild skin rash or itching;
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• pain, swelling, or irritation around the IV needle.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about aztreonam (Azactam)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam or to a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using aztreonam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others, or if you have liver or kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.

Use this medication 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.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking aztreonam and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

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