Aztreonam Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2025.

Applies to aztreonam: inhalation powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• powder for solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause bronchospasm, which may be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having a cough, difficulty with breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using the medicine.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, tightness in the throat, or any allergic reaction to aztreonam.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Serious side effects of aztreonam

Along with its needed effects, aztreonam may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking aztreonam:

Other side effects of aztreonam

Some side effects of aztreonam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to aztreonam: inhalation powder for reconstitution, injectable powder for injection, intravenous solution.

General adverse events

Aztreonam for injection was generally well tolerated. The overall incidence of systemic side effects was about 1% to 1.3%.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (54%), nasal congestion (16%), wheezing (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchospasm (3%)
• Postmarketing reports: Dyspnea

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Wheezing, dyspnea, chest pain, sneezing, nasal congestion^[Ref]

Other

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (13%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest discomfort (8%), abdominal pain (7%)

Aztreonam for injection:

• Common (1% to 10%): Superinfection (up to 10%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Weakness, fever, malaise, flushing^[Ref]

Superinfection has been reported in up to 10% of patients during aztreonam therapy and was usually due to enterococcus or staphylococcus.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting (6%)

Aztreonam for injection:

• Common (1% to 10%): 1% to 1.3%: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Abdominal cramps, mouth ulcer, altered taste, numb tongue, halitosis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, gastrointestinal bleeding^[Ref]

Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibiotic treatment.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash (2%)

Aztreonam for injection:

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash (1% to 1.3%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, purpura, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, petechiae, pruritus, diaphoresis^[Ref]

Toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with aztreonam has been reported in very ill patients on many other medications, making implication of aztreonam difficult.^[Ref]

Local

Aztreonam for injection:

• Common (1% to 10%): Discomfort/swelling at the injection site after intramuscular administration (2.4%), phlebitis/thrombophlebitis after intravenous administration (1.9%)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction (with facial rash, facial swelling, throat tightness)

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Maculopapular eruption (at least 1 case)^[Ref]

A 57-year-old male developed a widespread maculopapular eruption two hours after receiving aztreonam. Corticosteroids and antihistamines were needed to control the reaction which disappeared after 8 days. The patient also showed cross-reactivity to ceftazidime which shares the same side chain as aztreonam.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Pancytopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis
• Frequency not reported: Increased prothrombin time, increased partial thromboplastin time, positive Coombs' test^[Ref]

A case of myelosuppression associated with aztreonam has been reported, but because many other drugs were administered and because the patient was bacteremic, implication of aztreonam as the causative agent was difficult.

In vitro studies have shown that aztreonam may inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation at high concentrations. Clinically, therapeutic doses of aztreonam have not been associated with bleeding problems.^[Ref]

Hepatic

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Hepatitis, jaundice, signs or symptoms of hepatobiliary dysfunction
• Frequency not reported: Elevated AST, elevated ALT, elevated alkaline phosphatase^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension (less than 1%), transient electrocardiogram changes (ventricular bigeminy, premature ventricular contractions; less than 1%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Seizure, headache, confusion, vertigo, paresthesia, insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Aztreonam for inhalation:

• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, joint swelling

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscular aches (less than 1%)^[Ref]

Renal

Aztreonam for injection:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute interstitial nephritis (at least 1 case)
• Frequency not reported: Increased serum creatinine^[Ref]

Acute interstitial nephritis associated with aztreonam has been reported in a very ill patient receiving many other medications.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Less than 1%: Vaginal candidiasis, vaginitis, breast tenderness^[Ref]

Ocular

Aztreonam for injection:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia (less than 1%)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Aztreonam side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer