Monobactams

Question 1

What is the only available monobactam in the market?

Answer 1

Aztreonam

Question 2

(T/F) - Monobactams are safe to administer to patients with allergies to other beta-lactams

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

(T/F) - A patient with an allergy to ceftazidime can use aztreonam as an alternative

Answer 3

FALSE - if a patient is allergic to ceftazidime, aztreonam cannot be given due to cross-allergenicity (vice-versa)

Question 4

Monobactams have a good spectrum over which bacteria?

Answer 4

• Pseudomonas

- Most other GNRs

Question 5

(T/F) - There is a high incidence of hypersensitivity of monobactams

Answer 5

FASLE - low incidence

Question 6

Is it recommended to add aztreonam with another beta-lactam against the same organism?

Answer 6

No, it’s unwarranted

Question 7

What is recommended to add with aztreonam as an empiric therapy in what types of infections?

Answer 7

Add another non-beta-lactam drug for serious nosocomial infections

Question 8

What are the main utilizations of monobactams?

Answer 8

• Gram (-) infections
• Pseudomonas
• Pt is allergic to beta-lactams

Question 9

What should be done if a patient presents with an anaphylactoid reaction with beta-lactam drugs but cannot be determined if it was an allergic reaction to ceftazidime?

Answer 9

• Proceed with caution with aztreonam
  OR
• Use an alternative agent