Monobactam antibiotic
Aztreonam
Brand names: Azactam, Cayston
Adult dose
Dose: 1–2g IV q6–8h; CF: 75mg nebulised TDS (Cayston)
Route: IV / Inhaled
Frequency: q6–8h IV / TDS inhaled
Clinical pearls
- BSAC: aerobic gram-negative cover (Pseudomonas) — useful in penicillin/cephalosporin allergy (low cross-reactivity)
- CF Trust: nebulised aztreonam for chronic Pseudomonas infection
- UKHSA AMR
Contraindications
- Severe hypersensitivity to aztreonam
- Use with caution in penicillin allergy (low cross-reactivity)
Side effects
- Local site reactions
- GI upset
- C. difficile
- Hepatic enzyme elevation
- Hypersensitivity (rare)
- Cough/bronchospasm (inhaled)
Interactions
- Furosemide (increased levels)
- Probenecid
Monitoring
- Renal
- C. diff
- Resolution
Reference: BNF; BSAC; CF Trust; UKHSA AMR; SmPC; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/aztreonam/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- Centor / McIsaac Score for Strep Pharyngitis · Throat
- FeverPAIN Score for Strep Throat · Throat
- Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction Severity Assessment · Treatment Reactions
- PID Severity (CDC Diagnostic Criteria) · Gynaecological Infections
- Gustilo-Anderson Classification (Open Fractures) · Fracture Classification
- DRIP Score for Drug-Resistant Pneumonia · Pneumonia
Pathways
- Infective Endocarditis · ESC 2023 Infective Endocarditis Guidelines; NICE NG41
- Eczema Herpeticum · BAD; NICE CKS
- Suspected Bacterial Meningitis (Adult) · NICE NG240 (2024); NICE NG143 (paeds)
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021
- Returning Traveller — Fever · NaTHNaC; PHE; ESCMID 2018
- Malaria — Diagnosis & Management · PHE 2016; WHO 2023