New intravenous combination antibiotic for intra-abdominal and urinary tract infection

By Chloe Harman on the 16 November 2015

Zerbaxa contains the cephalosporin ceftolozane and the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam.

Ceftolozane/tazobactam is effective against bacteria including Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. | iStock

Further information
View Zerbaxa drug record
Summary of Product Characteristics
Manufacturer: Merck Sharp & Dohme

The combination is administered by intravenous infusion and is indicated for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infection, complicated urinary tract infection and acute pyelonephritis. Susceptible organisms include Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In a trial in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection, clinical cure rates for the ceftolozane/tazobactam combination were 95.9% in patients younger than 65 years (n=293) and 87.8% in those 65 years or older (n=82).