Tigemonam is a newer monobactam that is orally active.It is highly resistant to β-lactamases. The antibacterialspectrum of activity resembles that of aztreonam. It is veryactive against the Enterobacteriaceae, including E. coli,Klebsiella, Proteus, Citrobacter, Serratia, and Enterobacterspp. It also exhibits good potency against H. influenzae andN. gonorrhoeae. Tigemonam is not particularly activeagainst Gram-positive or anaerobic bacteria and is inactiveagainst P. aeruginosa.
In contrast to the poor oral bioavailability of aztreonam,the oral absorption of tigemonam is excellent. Itcould become a valuable agent for the oral treatment ofurinary tract infections and other non–life-threatening infectionscaused by β-lactamase–producing Gram-negativebacteria.
