[Bezlotoxumab photo]
KEY POINTS
- Bezlotoxumab (Zinplava) is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that works by binding to and neutralizing Clostridium difficile toxin B, which prevents toxic effects
- Does not work on C. difficile toxin A
- FDA-approved in October 2016
- Is not indicated for the treatment of C. difficile, so should only be used in conjunction with antibacterial drugs treatment of C. difficile
- Most promise with this agents is for preventing recurrent episodes of C. difficile infection, particularly in patients at higher risk for recurrence
- Available injectable only, given as a one-time dose of 10 mg/kg
- No renal or hepatic dose adjustments provided by the package insert
- Heart failure / exacerbation of congestive heart failure is an adverse effect of concern to beware
- Some common adverse effects include: congestive heart failure, nausea, headache, fever, and infusion related reactions (e.g., dizziness, nausea, dyspnea, hypertension, fever, headache, fatigue)
- The high cost of this agent has made it a topic for debate in cost-effectiveness discussions
RESOURCES
- Bezlotoxumab Package Insert
- Bezlotoxumab Patient Information (Merck)
- IDSA Practice Guidelines
- Bezlotoxumab for Preventing Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Narrative Review from Pathophysiology to Clinical Studies
- Bezlotoxumab for Prevention of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection (NEJM 2017)
- Bezlotoxumab — A New Agent for Clostridium difficileInfection (NEJM 2017)
- Bezlotoxumab Protects Against Recurrent C difficile Infections (JAMA 2017)
- Bezlotoxumab: Could This B the Answer for Clostridium difficile Recurrence? (Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2017)
[Photo source: versamedia.ro]
