FDA Approves Antibiotic for Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections

Officials with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved eravacycline, (Xerava, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) in adults 18 years and older.

Eravacycline is a tetracycline-class antibacterial injection that has demonstrated potent activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. In clinical trials, eravacycline was well tolerated, produced favorable results in curing patients with cIAIs, and demonstrated non-inferiority to ertapenem and meropenem.

The drug does not have a dose adjustment requirement when given to patients with renal impairment and it may be given to patients with penicillin allergies, according to a statement issued by Tetraphase.

“[Eravacycline is] a fluorocycline-type tetracycline. This drug is active against resistant

Enterobacteriaceae

and some gram-positive organisms as well,” explained Jason Gallagher, PharmD, clinical professor, Temple University School of Pharmacy, editor-in-chief of

Specialty Pharmacy Times'

sister publication

Contagion

®, in a recent interview. “It’s fairly broad in its spectrum; it does not have activity against Pseudomonas similar to tigecycline or the other tetracyclines.”

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