FDA Approves Combo Antibacterial for Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections, UTIs

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH

The FDA has approved Zerbaxa — a combination of the new cephalosporin ceftolozane plus the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam — to treat adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections.

Zerbaxa is administered intravenously; when given for intra-abdominal infections, it is used along with metronidazole.

The treatment's efficacy was established in clinical trials of some 2000 patients. The most frequent side effects were nausea, diarrhea, headache, and pyrexia. In addition, its label warns of decreased effectiveness in those with renal impairment.

Zerbaxa is the fourth new antibacterial drug approved this year.