Brand Name: Zerbaxa
Generic Name: ceftolozane/tazobactam

Medication Class:  Antibacterial drug (cephalosporin/beta-lactamase inhibitor)
Manufacturer: Cubist Pharmaceuticals
FDA Approval Date: December 19, 2014
Similar Drug Class: Zosyn (piperacillin/tazobactam), Timentin (ticarcillin/clavulanic acid), Unasyn (ampicillin/sulbactam)

What is Zerbaxa and how does it work?

Zerbaxa is an injectable antibacterial combination drug product approved by the FDA for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). The active components in Zerbaxa are ceftolozane, a cephalosporin group antibacterial drug, and tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor.

Ceftolozane binds to enzymes called penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and thus inhibits the formation of cell bacteria cell walls. A cell wall is an essential component of bacteria which maintains its shape and integrity. When ceftolozane interferes with cell wall synthesis, bacterial cells die.

Tazobactam is an irreversible inhibitor of some beta-lactamases (for example,  penicillinases and cephalosporinases). Beta-lactamases are enzymes that bacteria use to block the effect of penicillin and cephalosporin type antibiotics. Tazobactam by itself is not an effective antibiotic. When added to ceftolozane it enhances the spectrum of activity of ceftolozane.

What is Zerbaxa used to treat?

• In combination with metronidazole, Zerbaxa is used for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in adults caused by Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatu or Streptococcus salivarius.
• Zerbaxa is used for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) including pyelonephritis in adults, caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

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