Dalbavancin: Roles for Once-Weekly Antibiotics in Difficult to Treat Gram-Positive Infections

Abstract Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) are on the rise, accounting for nearly 3.5 million ED visits in 2010. In a world with a rising prevalence of multi-drug resistance organisms it has become imperative to create novel antibiotics for the 21st century. A new once-weekly antibiotic, Dalbavancin (Durata Therapeutics, INC), has shown great promise and was recently approved by the FDA for patients with SSTI cause by gram-positive microorganisms, including MRSA. Dalbavancin has been shown to have equal efficacy for SSTI caused by gram-positive infections when compared to vancomycin and linezolid. In addition, it has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile that allows for once-weekly IV infusion, leading to the possibility of outpatient therapy even for severe SSTI. It undergoes dual elimination via urine and feces and dose adjustment for patients with renal and hepatic impairment does not appear necessary. It is well tolerated without evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity, gastrointestinal flora alteration, or significant drug–drug interaction. This review aims to summarize the clinical research already preformed on dalbavancin and describes its role in the clinical antibiotic armamentarium.
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research