Cayston

Generic Name: aztreonam (Inhalation route)

az-TREE-oh-nam

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Cayston

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Monobactam

Uses For Cayston

Aztreonam inhalation is an antibiotic that is used to treat lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. The medicine is breathed into the lungs through the mouth to treat infections caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Aztreonam works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Cayston

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of aztreonam inhalation in children younger than 7 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of aztreonam inhalation have not been performed in the geriatric population.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of Cayston

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you or your child feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

This medicine should be used with the Altera® Nebulizer System. The inhaled liquid and nebulizer will come with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your doctor may give you or your child additional medicines to use before the aztreonam inhalation liquid, such as bronchodilators or mucolytics. Bronchodilators help open the lungs so you can breathe easier. Mucolytics help clear the mucus from your lungs. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how to use your medicines. Aztreonam inhalation will work better if you use all of your medicines in the right order.

To use the inhalation solution:

• Mix the powder in the vial (glass container) with the saline or diluent liquid.


• Slowly swirl the vial until the powder has completely dissolved. If the liquid in the vial is cloudy or has specks in it, throw it away and mix a new dose.


• Place the mixed liquid in the medicine reservoir or nebulizer cup right away.


• Do not mix other medicines with the liquid in the nebulizer.


• Use the mouthpiece of the nebulizer to breathe in the medicine.


• Use the nebulizer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the liquid in the nebulizer cup is gone.


• Clean the nebulizer after each use and throw out the empty vial, rubber stopper, and saline container.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For inhalation dosage form (solution in a nebulizer):
  
  • For lung infections:
    
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 7 years of age and older—One vial or container with 75 milligrams (mg) three times per day in the nebulizer. You should space the doses at least 4 hours apart.
    
    
    • Children younger than 7 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

It is best to store the unopened vials and saline ampules in the original carton in the refrigerator. You may also store the unopened vials at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for up to 28 days. Do not store the liquid mixture after the powder is dissolved.

Precautions While Using Cayston

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.

Cayston Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

• Chest discomfort


• cough


• difficulty with breathing or troubled breathing


• fever

Less common

• Noisy breathing


• shortness of breath


• tightness in the chest

Some side effects 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:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• sore throat


• stuffy nose


• vomiting

Less common

• Rash

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Cayston side effects (in more detail)

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More Cayston resources

• Cayston Side Effects (in more detail)
• Cayston Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Cayston Drug Interactions
• Cayston Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Cayston - Add your own review/rating

• Cayston Consumer Overview


• Cayston MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cayston Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Aztreonam Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Aztreonam Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Azactam Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Azactam MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Azactam Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Cayston with other medications

• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pneumonia with Cystic Fibrosis