I remember my first shipment of CAYSTON. Being prescribed a new inhaled antibiotic to help fight my Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) was pretty exciting.”
Read
Mark’s tips on preparing for your first dose.
Taking Cayston | CAYSTON® (aztreonam for inhalation solution)
CAYSTON is taken as an inhaled breathing treatment with the lightweight, quiet, and portable ALTERA® Nebulizer System.
Do not use any other nebulizer for your CAYSTON treatment.
CAYSTON nebulization time is typically 2-3 minutes,* 3 times a day, at least 4 hours apart.
One course consists of taking CAYSTON 3 times a day for 28 days, followed by at least 28 days off CAYSTON, as directed by your doctor. See examples of how to best fit CAYSTON into your day.
To ensure that you get your complete dose of CAYSTON, make sure you are in an environment with a flat, stable surface to prepare your doses and sitting in an upright position to take your dose.
*The estimated 2- to 3-minute nebulization time does not include the time for setting up, cleaning, and disinfecting the nebulizing equipment.
Hear Emily's tips on making time for treatment
CAYSTON can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days
Always keep your CAYSTON and saline together. CAYSTON and saline can be stored at room temperature (less than 77 °F) for up to 28 days and should be refrigerated at 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C) for longer periods. Do not use CAYSTON if it has been stored at room temperature for more than 28 days. It should also be protected from light.
PREPARING CAYSTON
See all of the important details you should know while preparing and taking CAYSTON.
Use an inhaled bronchodilator (a type of medicine used to relax and open your airways) before taking a dose of CAYSTON. If you are taking several medicines or treatments to treat your cystic fibrosis, you should take your medicines or other treatments in this order:
- Bronchodilator
- Mucolytics (medicines to help clear mucus from your lungs)
- CAYSTON
Check to make sure that your ALTERA Nebulizer System works properly before starting your treatment with CAYSTON. View a copy of the manufacturer's instructions for use, which includes complete information about how to put together (assemble), prepare, use, and care for your ALTERA Nebulizer System.
HOW TO TAKE CAYSTON
Watch how to properly prepare and store you CAYSTON treatment.
- Make sure the handset is on a flat, stable surface.
- Remove the rubber stopper from the vial, then pour all the mixed CAYSTON and saline into the Medication Reservoir of the handset (Figure 1). Be sure to completely empty the vial, gently tapping the vial against the side of the Medication Reservoir if necessary. Close the Medication Reservoir (Figure 2).
Begin your treatment by sitting in a relaxed, upright position. Hold the handset level, and place the Mouthpiece in your mouth. Close your lips around the Mouthpiece (Figure 3).
Breathe in and out normally (inhale and exhale) through the Mouthpiece. Avoid breathing through your nose. Continue to inhale and exhale comfortably until the treatment is finished.
The empty vial, stopper, and saline ampule should be disposed of in household garbage upon completion of dosing.
Caring for Your ALTERA Nebulizer System
The ALTERA Nebulizer System is small, portable, and battery operated, allowing you to administer your CAYSTON quickly* and quietly throughout the day.
Four new standard AA batteries provide about 2 hours of treatment time. Rechargeable AA batteries may also be used. The AC power supply provided is optional.
I like having a battery-powered nebulizer; I can take it with me when I need to and I don't need an electric outlet to set up.”
Four new standard AA batteries provide about 2 hours of treatment time. Rechargeable AA batteries may also be used. The AC power supply provided is optional.
Important Information about using the ALTERA Nebulizer System
- Do not use any other nebulizer for your CAYSTON treatment
- Do not use any medication other than CAYSTON in the ALTERA Nebulizer System
- Use of drugs other than CAYSTON in the ALTERA Nebulizer System could result in potential incorrect dosage or overdoses of medication
- Use of other drugs could clog the ALTERA Aerosol Head, which may cause nebulization of your CAYSTON treatment to be ineffective and shorten the useful life of the device
- Do not mix CAYSTON with any other medicines in your ALTERA Nebulizer System. Mixing medicines could cause unexpected and unsafe drug interactions to occur.
- Do not mix CAYSTON with saline until right before you are ready to use it
- Clean and dry each handset as soon as you are able to after treatment to reduce the risk of infection and help unclog the Aerosol Head to ensure proper operation. You may then batch disinfect all handsets at the end of the day.
- Your nebulizer system will include a warranty card from the manufacturer (PARI). You can also find the warranty card here. It’s important to complete and submit the ALTERA warranty card to PARI so they can honor the 2-year limited warranty and additional 12-month extended warranty.
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for more important information
If you need to replace your ALTERA Nebulizer System or if you want to obtain a second unit, consider looking into the ALTERA Co-pay Coupon Program.
Cleaning and disinfecting
Clean the ALTERA Handset after each dose to help prevent the Aerosol Head from clogging.
Disinfect the ALTERA Handset at the end of every treatment day to reduce bacterial contamination.
You will receive 2 ALTERA handset(s) with your first shipment of CAYSTON. You will also receive an additional handset with each of your following shipments. Multiple handsets can be rotated throughout the day to complete each of your 3 daily doses of CAYSTON. You should clean and dry each handset as soon as you are able to after treatment to reduce the risk of infection and help unclog the Aerosol Head to ensure proper operation. After your third and final treatment of the day, all of your handsets can be disinfected at once.
Watch the instructional video.
With normal operation and proper cleaning, it should take about 2-3 minutes to complete each treatment of CAYSTON.* If it takes longer than expected, the Aerosol Head could be clogged. A thorough cleaning following the directions in the ALTERA Nebulizer System Instructions for Use may help. If you notice your fully cleaned ALTERA Nebulizer Handset continues to take more than 3 minutes to nebulize, call 1-877-7CAYSTON.
*The estimated nebulization time does not include the time for setting up, cleaning, and disinfecting the nebulizing equipment.
Important information about cleaning the ALTERA Nebulizer System
- To reduce the risk of infection, illness, and/or injury from contamination and/or improper use, clean the ALTERA Nebulizer Handset as soon as possible after treatment.
- DO NOT wash or use any liquids with the Controller, Nebulizer Connection Cord, AC Power Supply, or Plug Converters.
- Use clear liquid soap designed for washing dishes. DO NOT use pearly, non-clear liquid dish soaps (eg, Ivory® or Dove®) or antibacterial liquid dish soaps.
