How does it work?

Azactam injection contains the active ingredient aztreonam, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. It is related to the penicillin/cephalosporin family of antibiotics and is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Aztreonam treats bacterial infections by killing the bacteria causing the infection. It does this by preventing the bacteria from forming normal cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria protect the bacterial cells and are essential for their survival. When these cell walls are not formed correctly it causes them to disintegrate and the bacteria therefore die.

Aztreonam is only effective against a specific group of bacteria, known as Gram negative bacteria. These include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to aztreonam your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample. If the bacteria causing an infection are not known, this antibiotic should be used in conjunction with another antibiotic, so that a wider range of potential infecting organisms can be targeted. When the results of microscopy and culture are known, the most appropriate antibiotic can be continued.

Aztreonam is given by injection into a vein, into a muscle in the buttock or thigh, or by drip into a vein (intravenous infusion). It is generally used to treat more serious infections.

What is it used for?

• Bacterial infections of the urinary tract, including cystitis and kidney infections (pyelonephritis)
• Gonorrhoea
• Bacterial infections of the lungs, eg bronchitis, pneumonia and lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
• Bacterial infection of the blood (blood poisoning or septicaemia)
• Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza or Neisseria meningitidis bacteria
• Bacterial infections of bones or joints
• Bacterial infections of skin and soft tissue infections, including those associated with postoperative wounds, ulcers, abscesses and burns
• Bacterial infections of the abdominal cavity, eg peritonitis
• Bacterial gynaecological infections, eg pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis and pelvic cellulitis

Use with caution in

• Decreased kidney function
• Decreased liver function
• History of allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin type antibiotics

Not to be used in

• Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. The manufacturer states that this medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The manufacturer recommends that mothers should avoid breastfeeding while receiving treatment with this medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Mouth ulcers
• Alteration in taste
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• Disturbance in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood
• Increased risk of bleeding
• Discomfort at injection site
• Skin reactions such as rash, itching, flushing
• Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, which may cause infection such as thrush
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Muscle aches

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines during treatment with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Aztreonam may increase the anti-blood-clotting effects of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. If you are taking an anticoagulant, your doctor may want to perform extra monitoring of your blood clotting time while you have treatment with this medicine.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain aztreonam as the active ingredient.