Aztreonam--an overview.

Aztreonam is the first synthetic monobactam to undergo clinical studies in the U.S. Aztreonam has excellent activity against P. aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae, but poor activity against anaerobic and gram-positive organisms. Aztreonam has poor oral bioavailability, but can be given intramuscularly or intravenously in doses of 1-2 g q6-12h. Clinical trials of aztreonam have shown it to be effective in infections of urine, lung, skin, blood, bones and joints, and abdomen with an adverse reaction profile similar to beta-lactams. Aztreonam may be an alternate to aminoglycoside therapy, with the advantage of not being nephrotoxic.