Anthropometric Measurements as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Among Tanzanian Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
November 7, 2025
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Brand Name :
Azactam
Synonyms :
aztreonam
Class :
Monobactams
Brand Name :
Azactam
Synonyms :
aztreonam
Class :
Monobactams
Dosage Forms & Strengths
powder for injection
1g
2g
inhalation solution
75mg
Inhalation
Initial dose-75mg using nebulizer for 2 to 3 minutes, thrice a day up to 28 days. Dosing should be 4 hours apart
Maintenance dose: Administer in alternate cycles of 28 days
500mg-1g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours. Do not exceed 8g/day
1-2g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours
Do not exceed 8g/day
moderate infections:
1-2g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours
severe infections:
2g intravenous every 6 to 8 hours
moderate infections:
1-2g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours
severe infections:
2g intravenous every 6 to 8 hours
moderate infections:
1-2g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours
severe infections:
2g intravenous every 6 to 8 hours
Dose Adjustments
Renal impairment
If a patient's CrCl is between 10-30 mL/min, a loading dose of 1-2 g is recommended, followed by 50% of the usual dosage
If the CrCl is below 10 mL/min, a 1-2 g loading dose is recommended, followed by 25% of the usual dosage
moderate infections:
1-2g intramuscular or intravenous every 8 to 12 hours
severe infections:
2g intravenous every 6 to 8 hours
Dose Adjustments
Renal impairment
If a patient's CrCl is between 10-30 mL/min, a loading dose of 1-2 g is recommended, followed by 50% of the usual dosage
If the CrCl is below 10 mL/min, a 1-2 g loading dose is recommended, followed by 25% of the usual dosage
powder for injection
1g
2g
inhalation solution
75mg
<9 months: Safety and efficacy not established
>9 months:50mg/kg intravenous every 6 to 8 hours. Do not exceed 200mg/kg/day
>7 years: 75mg using a nebulizer for 2 to 3 minutes, thrice a day up to 28 days. Dosing should be 4 hours apart
≤7 days:
<2kg bodyweight: 30mg/kg intravenous every 12 hours
>2 kg bodyweight: 30mg/kg intravenous every 8 hours
8 to 30 days:
<1.2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 12 hours
1.2kg-2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 8 hours
>2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 6 hours
1 to 18 years: 30mg/kg intravenous every 6-8 hours
≤7 days:
<2kg bodyweight: 30mg/kg intravenous every 12 hours
>2 kg bodyweight: 30mg/kg intravenous every 8 hours
8 to 30 days:
<1.2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 12 hours
1.2kg-2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 8 hours
>2kg: 30mg/kg intravenous every 6 hours
1 to 18 years: 30mg/kg intravenous every 6-8 hours
Refer adult dosing
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
sodium picosulfate, citric acid, and magnesium oxideÂ
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with corifollitropin alfa resulting in an enhanced serum level
When aztreonam is used together with capsaicin, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of methemoglobinemia
aztreonam leads to a reduction in the rate of excretion of potassium acetate, which leads to an increased level of serum
aztreonam leads to a reduction in the rate of excretion of potassium perchlorate, which leads to an increased level of serum
aztreonam may decrease the excretion rate of almasilate, leading to higher serum levels
the excretory rate of aztreonam may be reduced, resulting in increased levels of serum when combined with kebuzone
aztreonam might lead to a reduction in the rate of excretion of telavancin, potentially leading to elevated levels of serum
lansoprazole amoxicillin and clarithromycin
when amoxicillin combines with aztreonam it decreases the effects of action of drug by synergestic effect
amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium
when amoxicillin combines with aztreonam it decreases the effects of action of drug by synergestic effect
omeprazole amoxicillin and clarithromycin
when amoxicillin combines with aztreonam, it decreases the effects of the action of drug by synergistic effect
when amoxicillin combines with aztreonam, it decreases the effects of the action of drug by synergistic effect
Mechanism of action
It is a monobactam antibiotic with a mechanism of action by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
Spectrum
It has a spectrum of activity against gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter species, but does not have activity against gram-positive bacteria or anaerobes. It is typically used to treat urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, and respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria
Frequency defined:
Inhalation
>10%
Sore throat (12%)
fever (13%)
cough (54%)
wheezing (16%)
Injection
increase in serum transaminases (4-6%)
pain at the injection site (12% children)(2% adults)
neutropenia(3-11% children) (<1% adults)
1-10%
Inhalation
abdominal pain
bronchospasm
chest discomfort
vomiting skin rash
Injection
thrombocytopenia
nausea
fever
rash
diarrhea
vomiting
<1%
Inhalation
joint swelling
bronchospasm
facial edema
tightness in the chest and throat
skin rash
Injection
anaphylaxis
angioedema
breast tenderness
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD)
diplopia
dyspnea
Erythema multiforme
fever
halitosis
hepatitis
insomnia
leukocytosis
pancytopenia
thrombocytopenia
tongue numbness
urticaria
vertigo
wheezing
abnormal taste
anemia
ulcer
bronchospasm
confusion
dizziness
eosinophilia
flushing
headache
hypotension
neutropenia
seizures
Post-marketing reports
encephalopathy
Contraindications
It is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity reaction to it or other beta-lactam antibiotics. Additionally, it should not be used in patients with anaphylaxis, angioedema, or severe cutaneous adverse reactions to beta-lactams
Caution
Cross-reactivity: It may cause cross-reactivity in patients allergic to other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins
Renal impairment: The drug is eliminated primarily by the kidneys, so patients with renal impairment may need a reduced dose
Interactions: It may interact with other medications, such as probenecid, which can increase the risk of adverse effects
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: aztreonam, like other antibiotics, can disrupt the normal gut flora and increase the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Monitoring: As with any medication, patients receiving aztreonam should be closely monitored for adverse effects and the effectiveness of treatment.
Pregnancy consideration: B
Lactation: Excretion of the drug in human breast milk is known to be in low quantities
Pregnancy category:
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.
Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category
Pharmacology
It is a monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic that is active against gram-negative bacteria. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterial cell. By blocking the function of these PBPs, aztreonam prevents the formation of the bacterial cell wall, causing the bacterial cell to lyse and die
It is well-absorbed after intravenous (IV) administration and has a relatively long half-life, allowing for dosing once or twice daily. It is eliminated primarily by the kidneys through glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Patients with renal impairment may need to receive a reduced dose.
Pharmacodynamics
In the case of aztreonam, the following PD properties are essential to consider:
Time-Dependent Killing: It has time-dependent killing properties, meaning that the longer the bacteria are exposed to the drug, the greater the likelihood of bacterial death. This is because aztreonam works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, and this effect takes time
Bactericidal activity: It is bactericidal and actively kills bacteria instead of inhibiting bacterial growth
Bacterial resistance: Like all antibiotics, the risk of bacterial resistance to aztreonam exists, mainly if the drug is misused or for extended periods
Dose-Response Relationship: The PD relationship between dose and effect is considered linear for aztreonam, meaning that increasing the drug dose will result in a corresponding increase in its antibacterial effect
Concentration-Dependent Killing: It has concentration-dependent killing properties, meaning that the higher the drug concentration, the greater the likelihood of bacterial death
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
The peak plasma time is within 60 minutes for IM/IV push and 1.5 hours for IV infusion
Distribution:
The drug is distributed widely throughout the body, crossing the placenta and entering breast milk. The drug has sound diffusion into the cerebrospinal fluid only in the presence of inflammation. The drug is 58% protein bound and has a volume distribution of 0.2 L/kg in adults.
Metabolism
The drug is metabolized in the liver
Elimination/excretion:
It is eliminated with a half-life of 1.7-2.9 hours in adults with normal renal function and 6-8 hours in adults with end-stage renal disease. The drug is primarily excreted in the urine (60-70%) and feces (13-15%)
Administration
It is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. It can be administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM). The IV administration is usually given as an infusion over 30 minutes to 1 hour, while the IM administration can be given as a single dose. The dose and duration of therapy will depend on the type and severity of the treated infection
Patient information leaflet
Generic Name: aztreonam
Pronounced: [ az-TREE-oh-nam ]
Why do we use aztreonam?
It is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. It is used to treat a variety of infections, including:
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
