ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam) is a combination of ceftolozane, a cephalosporin antibacterial, and tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by designated susceptible microorganisms in adult and pediatric patients (at least 32 weeks gestational age): Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections (cIAI), used in combination with metronidazole. ( 1.1 ) Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI), Including Pyelonephritis.
( 1.2 ) Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP/VABP). ( 1.3 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. ( 1.4 )
1.1Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections
ZERBAXA used in combination with metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (at least 32 weeks gestational age) with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus salivarius .
1.2Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Pyelonephritis
ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (at least 32 weeks gestational age) with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Proteus mirabilis , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa .
1.3Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia
ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (at least 32 weeks gestational age) with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae , Escherichia coli , Haemophilus influenzae , Klebsiella oxytoca , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Proteus mirabilis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Serratia marcescens .
Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Contraindications
ZERBAXA is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to the components of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam), piperacillin/tazobactam, or other members of the beta-lactam class. ZERBAXA is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to the components of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam), piperacillin/tazobactam, or other members of the beta-lactam class. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
Decreased efficacy was observed in a Phase 3 cIAI trial in a subgroup of patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to 50 mL/min. Monitor CrCl at least daily in patients with changing renal function and adjust the dose of ZERBAXA accordingly. ( 5.1 ) Serious hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported with beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Exercise caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibacterial drugs.
If an anaphylactic reaction to ZERBAXA occurs, discontinue the drug and institute appropriate therapy. ( 5.2 ) Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (has been reported with nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including ZERBAXA. Evaluate if diarrhea occurs. ( 5.3 )
5.1 Decreased Efficacy in Patients with Baseline Creatinine Clearance of 30 to 50 mL/min In a subgroup analysis of a Phase 3 cIAI trial of adult patients, clinical cure rates were lower in patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to 50 mL/min compared to those with CrCl greater than 50 mL/min (Table 6). The reduction in clinical cure rates was more marked in the ZERBAXA plus metronidazole arm compared to the meropenem arm. A similar trend was also seen in the cUTI trial.
Monitor CrCl at least daily in patients with changing renal function and adjust the dosage of ZERBAXA accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Table 6: Clinical Cure Rates in a Phase 3 Trial of Adult cIAI Patients by Baseline Renal Function (MITT Population) Baseline Renal Function ZERBAXA plus Metronidazole n/N (%) Meropenem n/N (%) CrCl greater than 50 mL/min 312/366 (85.2) 355/404 (87.9) CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min 11/23 (47.8) 9/13 (69.2)
5.2Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious
and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Before initiating therapy with ZERBAXA, make careful inquiry about previous hypersensitivity reactions to other cephalosporins, penicillins, or other beta-lactams. If this product is to be given to a patient with a cephalosporin, penicillin, or other beta-lactam allergy, exercise caution because cross sensitivity has been established.
If an anaphylactic reaction to ZERBAXA occurs, discontinue the drug and institute appropriate therapy.
5.3 Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported for nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including ZERBAXA, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of C . difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.
CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary because CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is confirmed, discontinue antibacterials not directed against C. difficile , if possible. Manage fluid and electrolyte levels as appropriate, supplement protein intake, monitor antibacterial treatment of C. difficile , and institute surgical evaluation as clinically indicated.
5.4Development of Drug-resistant Bacteria Prescribing
ZERBAXA in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and risks the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary
There are no data available on ZERBAXA, ceftolozane or tazobactam use in pregnant women to allow assessment of a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Available data from published prospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports over several decades have not identified an association of cephalosporin use during pregnancy with major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data ).
Neither ceftolozane nor tazobactam produced embryo-fetal toxicity when administered to rodents during the period of organogenesis at ceftolozane doses approximately 3.5 times higher in mice and 2 times higher in rats than the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 2 grams every 8 hours based on plasma AUC comparison or at tazobactam doses approximately 10 times higher in rats than the MRHD of 1 gram every 8 hours based on body surface area comparison.
In pre-postnatal studies, where pregnant rats were administered intravenous ceftolozane or intraperitoneal tazobactam in gestation and through the lactation period, ceftolozane was associated with a decrease in auditory startle response in first generation offspring at a dose lower than the MRHD based on AUC comparison, and tazobactam was associated with reduced maternal body weight gain and increased stillbirths at a dose equivalent to approximately 4 times the MRHD and reduced fetal body weights in first generation offspring at a dose approximately equivalent to the MRHD based on body surface area comparison (see Data ).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data While available studies with multiple cephalosporins cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from prospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports over several decades have not identified an association of cephalosporin use during pregnancy with major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
Available studies have methodologic limitations, including small sample size, retrospective data collection, and inconsistent comparator groups. Animal Data Ceftolozane Embryo-fetal development studies were performed in mice administered intravenous ceftolozane at doses of 300, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis (Gestation Day 6 through 15) and in rats administered intravenous ceftolozane in doses of 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis (Gestation Day 6 through 17).
In mice, ceftolozane was not associated with maternal or embryo-fetal toxicity with doses up to the highest dose of 2000 mg/kg/ day (approximately 3.5 times the MRHD of 2 grams every 8 hours based on plasma AUC comparison). In rats, no embryo-fetal toxicity was observed, but maternal body weight gain was reduced at a ceftolozane dose of 1000 mg/kg/day. No adverse maternal effects in rats were observed at a dose of 300 mg/kg/day and no adverse embryo-fetal effects were observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day (respectively equivalent to approximately 0.7- and 2-times the MRHD based on plasma AUC comparison).
In a pre-postnatal study in rats, intravenous ceftolozane administered during pregnancy and lactation (Gestation Day 6 through Lactation Day 20) was associated with a decrease in auditory startle response in postnatal Day 60 male pups at maternal doses greater than or equal to 300 mg/kg/day. No adverse effects were observed in rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, a dose lower than the MRHD of 2 grams every 8 hours based on plasma AUC comparison.
Tazobactam In an embryo-fetal study in rats, tazobactam was administered intravenously during the period of organogenesis (Gestation Day 7 through 17) at doses of 125, 500, and 3000 mg/kg/day. The high dose of 3000 mg/kg/day produced maternal toxicity (decreased food consumption and body weight gain) but was not associated with fetal toxicity. No adverse maternal effects were observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day and no adverse fetal effects were observed at a dose of 3000 mg/kg/day (respectively equivalent to approximately 2- and 10-times the MRHD of 1 gram every 8 hours based on body surface area comparison).
In rats, tazobactam was shown to cross the placenta. Concentrations in the fetus were less than or equal to 10% of those found in maternal plasma. In a pre-postnatal study in rats, tazobactam administered intraperitoneally in doses of 40, 320, and 1280 mg/kg/day at the end of gestation and during lactation (Gestation Day 17 through Lactation Day 21) was associated with decreased maternal food consumption and body weight gain at the end of gestation and significantly more stillbirths at the high dose of 1280 mg/kg/day.
No effects on the physical development, neurological function, or fertility and reproductive ability of first generation (F1) pups were noted, but postnatal body weights for F1 pups delivered to dams receiving 320 and 1280 mg/kg/day tazobactam were significantly reduced 21 days after delivery. The second generation (F2) fetuses were normal for all doses of tazobactam. No adverse effects on maternal reproduction were observed at doses up to 320 mg/kg/day and F1 body weights were not reduced at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day (respectively equivalent to approximately 1.0 and 0.1 times the MRHD of 1 gram every 8 hours based on body surface area comparison).
Adverse reactions
The following serious reactions are described in greater detail in the Warnings and Precautions section: Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Adult cIAI, cUTI and HABP/VABP Patients : The most common adverse reactions in adult patients (≥5% in either the cIAI or cUTI indication) are nausea, diarrhea, headache, and pyrexia.
( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (≥5% in the HABP/VABP indication) are increase in hepatic transaminases, renal impairment/renal failure, and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) Pediatric cIAI, cUTI and HABP/VABP Patients: The most common adverse reactions in pediatric patients (≥7% in cIAI, cUTI, or HABP/VABP) are thrombocytosis, diarrhea, pyrexia, leukopenia, abdominal pain, vomiting, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased alanine aminotransferase, and anemia.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and also may not reflect rates observed in practice. Adult Patients Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections and Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Pyelonephritis ZERBAXA was evaluated in Phase 3 comparator-controlled clinical trials of cIAI (Trial 1) and cUTI (Trial 2), which included a total of 1015 patients treated with ZERBAXA (1.5 g every 8 hours, adjusted based on renal function where appropriate) and 1032 patients treated with comparator (levofloxacin 750 mg daily in cUTI or meropenem 1 g every 8 hours in cIAI) for up to 14 days.
The mean age of treated patients was 48 to 50 years (range 18 to 92 years), across treatment arms and indications. In both indications, about 25% of the subjects were 65 years of age or older. Most patients (75%) enrolled in the cUTI trial were female, and most patients (58%) enrolled in the cIAI trial were male. Most patients (>70%) in both trials were enrolled in Eastern Europe and were White. The most common adverse reactions (5% or greater in either indication) occurring in patients receiving ZERBAXA were nausea, diarrhea, headache, and pyrexia.
Table 7 lists adverse reactions occurring in 1% or greater of patients receiving ZERBAXA in Phase 3 cIAI and cUTI clinical trials. Table 7: Adverse Reactions Occurring in 1% or Greater of Adult Patients Receiving ZERBAXA in Phase 3 cIAI and cUTI Clinical Trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2) Adverse Reaction Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Pyelonephritis ZERBAXA The ZERBAXA for injection dose was 1.5 g intravenously every 8 hours, adjusted to match renal function where appropriate.
Renal impairment (including the terms renal impairment, renal failure, and renal failure acute) led to discontinuation of treatment in 5/1015 (0.5%) subjects receiving ZERBAXA and none in the comparator arms. Increased Mortality In the cIAI trials (Phase 2 and 3), death occurred in 2.5% (14/564) of patients receiving ZERBAXA and in 1.5% (8/536) of patients receiving meropenem. The causes of death varied and included worsening and/or complications of infection, surgery, and underlying conditions.
Less Common Adverse Reactions in Phase 3 cIAI and cUTI Clinical Trials The following selected adverse reactions were reported in ZERBAXA-treated subjects at a rate of less than 1%: Cardiac disorders: tachycardia, angina pectoris Gastrointestinal disorders: gastritis, abdominal distension, dyspepsia, flatulence, ileus paralytic General disorders and administration site conditions: infusion site reactions Infections and infestations: candidiasis including oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal, fungal urinary tract infection Investigations: increased serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), increased serum alkaline phosphatase, positive Coombs’ test Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hyperglycemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia Nervous system disorders: ischemic stroke Renal and urinary system: renal impairment, renal failure Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: urticaria Vascular disorders: venous thrombosis Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia ZERBAXA was evaluated in a Phase 3 comparator-controlled clinical trial for HABP/VABP (Trial 3), which included a total of 361 patients treated with ZERBAXA (3 g every 8 hours, adjusted based on renal function where appropriate) and 359 patients treated with comparator (meropenem 1 g every 8 hours) for up to 14 days.
The mean age of treated patients was 60 years (range 18 to 98 years), across treatment arms. About 44% of the subjects were 65 years of age or older. Most patients (71%) enrolled in the trial were male. All subjects were mechanically ventilated at randomization and 92% were in an intensive care unit (ICU) at randomization. The median APACHE II score was 17, and 33% of subjects had a baseline APACHE II score of ≥20, indicating a high severity of illness for many patients enrolled in this trial.
Table 8 lists adverse reactions occurring in 2% or greater of patients receiving ZERBAXA in a Phase 3 HABP/VABP clinical trial. Table 8: Adverse Reactions Occurring in 2% or Greater of Adult Patients Receiving ZERBAXA in a Phase 3 HABP/VABP Clinical Trial (Trial 3) Adverse Reactions ZERBAXA The ZERBAXA for injection dose was 3 g intravenously every 8 hours, adjusted to match renal function where appropriate. N=361 n (%) Meropenem N=359 n (%) Hepatic transaminase increased Includes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased, hepatic enzyme increased, hypertransaminasemia, liver function test abnormal. 43 (11.9) 26 (7.2) Renal impairment/renal failure Includes acute renal failure, anuria, azotemia, oliguria, prerenal failure, renal failure, renal impairment. 32 (8.9) 22 (6.1) Diarrhea 23 (6.4) 25 (7.0) Intracranial hemorrhage Includes cerebellar hemorrhage, cerebral hematoma, cerebral hemorrhage, hemorrhage intracranial, hemorrhagic stroke, hemorrhagic transformation stroke, intraventricular hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma. 16 (4.4) 5 (1.4) Vomiting 12 (3.3) 10 (2.8) Clostridioides difficile colitis Includes Clostridioides difficile colitis , Clostridioides difficile infection, Clostridioides test positive . 10 (2.8) 2 (0.6) Treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 1.1% (4/361) of patients receiving ZERBAXA and 1.4% (5/359) of patients receiving meropenem.
Less Common Adverse Reactions in a Phase 3 HABP/VABP Clinical Trial The following selected adverse rea
Our copy of this section ends here. The full text is in the official label at the FDA. Open Drugs@FDA
Prognia shows this product information for reference and learning. It is not treatment advice and can lag behind the official text. Always check the current product information and local protocols before prescribing.
