Aztreonam, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is used to treat certain bacterial infections.
• If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: monobactam antibiotic

Generic and brand names: aztreonam, injection; Azactam

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) or IV infusion (slow drip through a needle) to treat certain bacterial infections. It does not cure infections caused by fungus or viruses.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A bone marrow transplant
• Kidney or liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These injections or infusions are usually given by a healthcare provider. The injections must be given regularly for several days, depending on the infection. Keep all your appointments.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Your healthcare provider will teach you how to use this medicine at home. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Do not stop using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval, even if you feel better. If you stop using it too soon, the infection may return. Carefully follow the instructions for using this medicine. If you are not sure how to use this medicine, ask your healthcare provider for help.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 9 months.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe another antibiotic to take during or after the injections.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk of side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Severe or bloody diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; seizures; dark urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes; unexplained bruising or bleeding; trouble urinating; redness, swelling, and warmth in your legs or arms; unexplained fever.

Other: Pain or swelling at the injection site, mild diarrhea or nausea, vaginal discharge or irritation, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antibiotics such as amikacin, cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), gentamicin, imipenem/cilastatin (Primaxin), meropenem (Merrem), tobramycin, and vancomycin (Vancocin)
• Vaccines

Be sure the healthcare provider who has prescribed shots of this medicine knows about all other medicines you are taking.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

If you use this medicine at home and have the premixed solution, store it in a freezer. Thaw the medicine before using. Thaw the medicine either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly. Once the medicine has been thawed, it should be clear and colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it. If you thaw the medicine in the refrigerator, use it within 2 weeks. If you thaw the medicine at room temperature, use it within 48 hours.

If you have the powder, store it at room temperature. After mixing, you may store the medicine at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you store the mixed medicine in the refrigerator, use it within 7 days. If you store the mixed medicine at room temperature, use it within 48 hours.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.