WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have approved a new antibiotic combination to treat several hard-to-treat infections.
The drug from Actavis PLC contains two ingredients, cephalosporin and avibactam, designed to help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration approved Avycaz to treat certain abdominal infections, in combination with another drug, and for complicated urinary-tract infections, including kidney infections, for which there are few other options.
Avycaz is the fifth drug given an expedited review by the FDA in an effort to make newer antibiotics available to fight drug-resistant superbugs.
The most common side effects reported in company trials included vomiting, nausea, constipation and anxiety.
The new drug will be distributed by Forest Laboratories, which was acquired by Dublin-based Actavis last summer.
