Meropenem/Vaborbactam Approved in U.S. for Complicated Urinary Tract Infection

The emergence in many tertiary hospitals of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, particularly carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaciae, has made the need for novel treatments urgent. In August 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved meropenem/vaborbactam (Vabomere) for adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis. This drug employs an old strategy of protecting a primary beta-lactam (meropenem) using a novel beta-lactamase inhibitor, vaborbactam (formerly RPX7009). The susceptible species are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae species complex.

The recommended dosage is 4 g (2 g meropenem plus 2 g vaborbactam) every 8 hours, with each dose provided as a …