antibioticsbooks

92 PART 2 Antibacterial Drugs
Adverse Effects
Similar to those of other beta-lactams, but with a
low incidence of hypersensitivity.
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Important Facts
• Aztreonam shares a mechanism of action and
pharmacodynamic profile with other betalactams.
Because it is a Gram-negative drug
that is often used in patients with penicillin
allergies, it is often confused with aminoglycosides.
It is chemically unrelated to aminoglycosides
and does not share their toxicities.
• Aztreonam can be administered via inhalation
to patients with cystic fibrosis to prevent exacerbations
of infection.
• Aztreonam is a type of beta-lactam, and combination
therapy with it and other beta-lactams
against the same organism is unwarranted.
Try adding a non-beta-lactam drug to your
empiric regimen for serious nosocomial infections
instead.
What It’s Good For
Gram-negative infections, including Pseudomonas,
particularly in patients with a history of betalactam
allergy.
Don’t Forget!
Before using aztreonam in your patients with betalactam
allergies, investigate whether the reaction
was specifically to ceftazidime. If you cannot determine
this and the reaction was serious, proceed
with caution or use an alternative agent.