Azactam

What is it?

A powder for injection and infusion, containing 500mg aztreonam available as lg or 2g powder in vials.

Medical Uses

Serious infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including those of the lower respiratory tract and lung infections in cystic fibrosis sufferers. Also, soft tissue, skin, joint, bone, gynaecological and abdominal infections. Urinary tract infections and gonorrhoea, meningitis (where H. influenzae or N. Meningitidis is the causal organism), septicaemia and bacteraemia (bacteria in blond indicating infection).

Dosage

Adults, 1g by intramuscular or intravenous mi ection every eight hours or 2g intravenously every 12 hours. If infection is severe, 2g six to eight hourly intravenously. Maximum daily dose is 8g. For urinary tract infections, 0.5-1g intramuscularly or intravenously every eight to twelve hours. For cystitis, ig intramuscularly as a single dose. Children, one week to two years, 30mg per kg of body weight every six to eight hours. Severe infections in children over two years, 50mg per kg of body weight every six to eight hours. Maximum dose is 8g each day.

Special Care

Patients with allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin. Persons with kidney or liver disease. Breastfeeding mothers.

Avoid Use

Children under one year, pregnancy.

Known Side Effects

Gastro-intestinal upset, vomiting and diarrhoea, local skin inflammation at injection site. Rarely, blood and liver reactions.

Manufacturer

BMS.