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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam or to a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), 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 Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have liver or kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. 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 has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is aztreonam?

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 should I discuss with my health care provider before using aztreonam?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aztreonam or to a penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

• carbenicillin (Geocillin);

• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);

• oxacillin (Bactocill); or

• penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).

Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs, especially:

• cephalosporins such as cefaclor (Ceclor), Ceftin (cefuroxime), cefadroxil (Duricef), cephalexin (Keflex), and others; or

• similar antibiotics such as ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem).

Before using aztreonam, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use aztreonam, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to 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.