avibactam sodium + aztreonam at a glance
Medicine class
Monobactam antibiotic plus beta-lactamase inhibitor
Licensed population
Adults
Important check
Kidney function affects clearance and must be reviewed during treatment
What is avibactam sodium + aztreonam used for?
Licensed uses in adults include:
Complicated infection within the abdomen.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Complicated urinary tract infection, including kidney infection.
Infections caused by aerobic Gram-negative organisms when treatment options are limited.
How does avibactam sodium + aztreonam work?
Aztreonam prevents susceptible bacteria from building cell walls. Avibactam inhibits many class A and C beta-lactamases and some class D enzymes, protecting aztreonam from destruction. Aztreonam is generally stable against class B metallo-beta-lactamases, although avibactam does not inhibit these enzymes.
How to take avibactam sodium + aztreonam
A doctor or nurse gives this treatment by intravenous infusion. The powder is reconstituted and diluted before administration.
Tell the clinical team about previous serious reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Report new diarrhoea, rash, confusion or neurological symptoms promptly.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness occurs.
avibactam sodium + aztreonam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Dizziness or confusion
- Rash
- Anaemia or changes in platelet counts
- Raised liver enzymes
- Pain, inflammation or leakage around the infusion site
- Fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread skin reaction
- Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea suggesting antibiotic-associated colitis
- Encephalopathy, impaired consciousness, seizures or movement disorders, particularly when kidney function is impaired
- Hepatitis or jaundice
avibactam sodium + aztreonam in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are absent or limited. Use should be considered only when clearly indicated and when expected maternal benefit outweighs potential risk to the child.
avibactam sodium + aztreonam while breastfeeding
Aztreonam enters breast milk in small concentrations; it is unknown whether avibactam enters milk. A prescriber should assess the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment because risk to the infant cannot be excluded.
avibactam sodium + aztreonam interactions
Cytochrome P450 interaction potential is considered low, but some combinations need attention.
Probenecid
May alter avibactam elimination; concurrent use is not recommended.
Oral anticoagulants
Aztreonam may prolong clotting time, so monitoring and adjustment may be required.
Nephrotoxic medicines, including aminoglycoside antibiotics
May worsen kidney function and increase the importance of renal monitoring.
Common questions about avibactam sodium + aztreonam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why are avibactam sodium and aztreonam combined?
Avibactam blocks several beta-lactamases that can destroy aztreonam, allowing it to act against some otherwise resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Which infections is avibactam sodium + aztreonam licensed to treat?
It is licensed in adults for complicated abdominal and urinary infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and aerobic Gram-negative infections when treatment options are limited.
Does it work against metallo-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria?
It may retain activity because aztreonam is generally stable against class B metallo-beta-lactamases, while avibactam blocks other enzymes that may also be present. Susceptibility testing and specialist interpretation remain important.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.