aztreonam lysine at a glance
Medicine class
Inhaled monobactam beta-lactam antibiotic
Licensed role
Suppressing chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in people aged 6 years and older with cystic fibrosis
Administration
Reconstituted and inhaled using the medicine-specific Altera nebuliser handset
Before inhalation
Use a bronchodilator first; take mucolytics before aztreonam lysine when both are prescribed
What is aztreonam lysine used for?
The licensed use is:
Suppressive treatment of chronic pulmonary infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people aged 6 years and older with cystic fibrosis.
How does aztreonam lysine work?
Aztreonam binds to bacterial penicillin-binding proteins and blocks cell-wall construction, causing susceptible Pseudomonas bacteria to break down. Inhalation delivers high concentrations to airway secretions while systemic exposure remains comparatively low.
aztreonam lysine preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 75 mg
How to take aztreonam lysine
Use only as instructed by the specialist cystic fibrosis team.
Use the supplied solvent and gently swirl until the powder dissolves; do not shake vigorously.
Do not use a cloudy solution or one containing particles.
Use only the Cayston-specific Altera handset and aerosol head connected to a compatible controller.
Sit upright, hold the handset level and breathe normally through the mouthpiece until administration is complete.
Do not mix other medicines in the handset or nebulise injectable aztreonam.
Clean and disinfect the handset according to its instructions.
aztreonam lysine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cough, wheezing or shortness of breath
- Blocked or runny nose and throat discomfort
- High temperature
- Chest discomfort
- Joint pain
- Temporary reduction in lung-function test results
- Coughing up blood
- Rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction with facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction
- Significant bronchospasm with marked chest tightness or wheezing
- New, increasing or substantial coughing up of blood
aztreonam lysine in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable. Treatment may still be necessary to control chronic lung infection, so use during pregnancy requires an individual discussion with the cystic fibrosis and maternity teams.
aztreonam lysine while breastfeeding
The UK product information permits use while breastfeeding. Infant exposure is expected to be extremely low because maternal systemic exposure after inhalation is low and aztreonam is poorly absorbed orally. Discuss individual circumstances with the specialist team.
aztreonam lysine interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed, but clinical studies did not identify interactions with several commonly used cystic fibrosis treatments. Administration compatibility remains important.
Other nebulised medicines
Do not mix them with aztreonam lysine in the Altera handset; administer inhaled treatments separately in the prescribed order.
Bronchodilators
No interaction signal was identified, but use the bronchodilator first to reduce inhalation-related bronchospasm.
Dornase alfa, azithromycin, tobramycin, pancreatic enzymes and inhaled corticosteroids
Clinical studies found no evidence of interactions when these were used alongside inhaled aztreonam.
Common questions about aztreonam lysine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What infection does aztreonam lysine treat?
It suppresses chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in people with cystic fibrosis.
Does it cure Pseudomonas infection?
It is used for suppression rather than guaranteeing eradication. Pseudomonas can persist and may become less susceptible over time.
Why is it inhaled?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.