Sivextro (Tedizolid Phosphate) Approved by the FDA for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin-Structure Infections

January 2015, Vol 3, No 1 - Inside Drug Update
Loretta Fala

An acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (ABSSSI) is a bacterial infection of the skin with a lesion size of ≥75 cm2, which is measured by the area of redness, edema, or induration.1

The types of infections that comprise ABSSSIs include cellulitis or erysipelas, major cutaneous abscesses, and wound infections1; these infections can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization and surgery.2

Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), are the most common bacterial pathogens responsible for ABSSSIs. The less common ABSSSI-causing pathogens include other Streptococcus species, Enterococcus faecalis, and gram-negative bacteria.1 In the United States, more than 2 million individuals are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria annually, and at least 23,000 die annually as a direct result of these infections.3

Cellulitis, a skin infection that is primarily attributed to streptococci, is most often caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus; however, the incidence of MRSA as the cause of cellulitis is increasing.4 The prevalence rate of leg erysipelas or cellulitis, which can occur anywhere on the body but usually affects the lower leg, is estimated to be more than 1 per 1000 persons annually.5

S aureus, particularly MRSA, is associated with major health complications and mortality. Furthermore, S aureus infections are particularly challenging to treat because of their potential for resistance to antimicrobial drugs.6 In addition, S aureus imposes a substantial economic burden on patients and on hospitals. In intensive care units, an estimated 59.5% to 64.4% of S aureus strains are methicillin-resistant.6 A study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that S aureus–related hospitalizations increased 62% between 1999 and 2005, and MRSA-related hospitalizations more than doubled during this period.6 Furthermore, S aureus–related deaths averaged 10,800 and MRSA-related deaths averaged 5500 annually.6

Most MRSA infections involve ABSSSI.7 MRSA continues to be a major public health concern in the United States. According to the CDC, an estimated 75,309 individuals in the United States are infected with invasive MRSA infections annually.8 Despite its high in­cidence, life-threatening, hospital-acquired MRSA infections declined 54% between 2005 and 2011, with 9000 fewer MRSA-associated deaths among hospitalized patients in 2011 than in 2005.8

Recent evidence indicates that community-acquired MRSA strains are spreading into healthcare institutions.9 Consequently, there is an urgent need to reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents and to increase awareness about MRSA in the community setting, including in daycare centers, schools, and environments with at-risk individuals (eg, the elderly, immunodeficient persons).6,9

More expensive to treat than susceptible infections, antimicrobial drug-resistant infections are associated with a 30% to 100% increase in mortality, illness, and direct costs.10

In a study that assessed 1,472,965 hospitalization episodes, of which 23,026 had skin and skin-structure infections as a secondary diagnosis, patients with skin and skin-structure infections had significantly (5 days) longer hospital stays, a higher mortality rate (5.4% vs 3.5%, respectively), and higher (excess of >$21,000) hospital costs compared with matched controls.11

The management of ABSSSIs presents several challenges. For example, aside from its link to drug-resistant gram-positive pathogens, an ABSSSI often requires antimicrobial or antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic resistance and adverse effects may limit the use of some antibiotic agents—factors that underscore the need for novel therapies to help combat drug-resistant pathogens.2,7

Tedizolid Phosphate: A New Treatment Option for ABSSSIs

On June 20, 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tedizolid phosphate (Sivextro; Cubist Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of adults with an ABSSSI that is caused by designated susceptible bacteria.12 To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tedizolid phosphate and other antibacterial drugs, tedizolid phosphate should only be used to treat or to prevent infections that are proved or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.12,13

According to Edward Cox, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “Today’s approval provides physicians and patients with a new treatment option for serious skin infections.”12

Barbara Murray, MD, Professor and Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School, Houston, and President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, commented that this news is “encouraging.” She added, “We still have a great deal more work to do to combat antibiotic resistance and ensure we have the tools necessary to help the patients who need it the most.”14

Tedizolid phosphate was approved by the FDA under its expedited review process. Based on its designation as a qualified infectious disease drug for the treatment of serious or life-threatening infections, tedizolid phosphate was also granted an additional 5-year exclusivity period in addition to its currently specified exclusivity period.12

Dosing and Administration

Tedizolid phosphate is available in 2 dosage forms—as a 200-mg, sterile, lyophilized powder in a single-use vial for reconstitution for intravenous (IV) infusion, and as a 200-mg tablet.13

The oral tablet of tedizolid phosphate is administered once daily for 6 days, and the IV infusion is administered once daily for 1 hour for a duration of 6 days.13

Mechanism of Action

Tedizolid phosphate is the prodrug of tedizolid, which is a member of the oxazolidinone class of antibacterial agents.13

Tedizolid’s antibacterial activity is mediated by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, resulting in the inhibition of protein synthesis. Tedizolid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis through a mechanism of action different from that of other nonoxazolidinone classes of antibac­terial drugs; therefore, cross-resistance between tedizolid and other classes of antibacterial drugs is unlikely. The results of in vitro time-kill studies show that tedizolid is bacteriostatic against enterococci, staphylococci, and streptococci.13

Key Clinical Studies

The safety and efficacy of tedizolid phosphate were evaluated in 2 multicenter, multinational, double-blind, noninferiority clinical trials that involved 1315 adults with ABSSSIs.2,15 In both studies, tedizolid 200 mg once daily for 6 days was compared with linezolid 600 mg every 12 hours for 10 days. Patients with cellulitis or erysipelas, major cutaneous abscess, or wound infection were enrolled in the clinical trials. Patients with wound infections could have received aztreonam and/or metronidazole as adjunctive therapy for gram-negative bacterial coverage, if needed. The intent-to-treat (ITT) patient population included all randomized patients.2,15

The ESTABLISH-1 Clinical Trial
The ESTABLISH-1 clinical trial (Trial 1) showed that tedizolid phosphate 200 mg once daily for 6 days was noninferior to linezolid 600 mg every 12 hours for 10 days in early clinical response (ie, 48-72 hours after initial treatment for an ABSSSI), indicating that tedizolid phosphate may be a useful alternative to linezolid for appropriate patients.2,13

In Trial 1, patients received oral tedizolid phosphate. A total of 323 patients with ABSSSI were randomized to tedizolid phosphate, and 326 patients were randomized to linezolid. The majority (91%) of the patients who received tedizolid phosphate were aged <65 years; the median age was 43 years. In these patients, the overall median surface area of infection was 190 cm2.2,13

The infection types included cellulitis or erysipelas (40%), wound infection (30%), and major cutaneous abscess (30%). In addition to the local signs and symptoms of infection, patients were also required to have at least 1 regional or systemic sign of infection at baseline, defined as lymphadenop­athy (87% of patients), a temperature of ≥38°C (16%), a white blood cell (WBC) count of >10,000 cells/mm3 or <4000 cells/mm3 (43%), or ≥10% band forms on a WBC differential (4%).2,13

The primary end point of the study was early clinical response, defined as no increase from the baseline lesion area at 48 to 72 hours after the first dose of tedizolid phosphate and an oral temperature of ≤37.6°C, to be confirmed by a second temperature measurement within 24 hours in the ITT population.2,13

The key findings from Trial 1 are shown in Table 1.

Table1

The ESTABLISH-2 Clinical Trial
In the ESTABLISH-2 clinical trial (Trial 2), tedizolid phosphate 200 mg for 6 days was shown to be noninferior to twice-daily linezolid 600 mg for 10 days, demonstrating that tedizolid phosphate may be a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of an ABSSSI in the hospital and the outpatient settings.13,15

In Trial 2, patients could have received oral tedizolid phosphate therapy after a minimum of 1 day of IV tedizolid phosphate therapy. A total of 332 patients with an ABSSSI were randomized to tedizolid phosphate, and 334 patients were randomized to linezolid. The majority (87%) of the patients who received tedizolid phosphate were aged <65 years; the median age was 46 years. The patients’ overall median surface area of infection was 231 cm2.13,15

The infection types included cellulitis or erysip­elas (50%), wound infection (30%), and major cutaneous abscess (20%). In addition to the local signs and symptoms of infection, patients were also required to have at least 1 regional or systemic sign of infection at baseline, defined as lymphadenopathy (71% of patients), temperature of ≥38°C (31%), WBC count of >10,000 cells/mm3 or <4000 cells/mm3 (53%), or ≥10% band forms on a WBC differential (16%).13,15

The primary end point of this study was early clinical response, which was defined as a ≥20% decrease from the baseline lesion area at 48 to 72 hours after the first dose in the ITT population.13,15

The key findings from Trial 2 are also shown in Table 1.

Investigator Assessment of Clinical Response
An investigator assessment of clinical response was conducted at the posttherapy evaluation (ie, 7-14 days after the end of therapy) in the ITT population and in the clinically evaluable population. Clinical success was defined as the resolution or near resolution of most disease-specific signs and symptoms; the absence or near resolution of systemic signs of infection if present at baseline (eg, lymphadenopathy, fever, >10% immature neutrophils, abnormal neutrophils, abnormal WBC count); and no new signs, symptoms, or complications attributable to an ABSSSI that would require further treatment of the primary lesion (Table 2).2,13,15

Table2

Clinical Success, by Baseline Pathogens
Early clinical response by baseline pathogens from the primary infection site or blood cultures for the microbiologic ITT patient population in Trials 1 and 2 are shown in Table 3.2,13,15

Table3

Adverse Events

The most common (≥2%) adverse reactions associated with tedizolid phosphate are nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and dizziness.13

Tedizolid phosphate has no contraindications.

Warnings and Precautions

Patients with neutropenia
The safety and efficacy of tedizolid phosphate in patients with neutropenia (ie, neutrophil counts of <1000 cells/mm3) have not been adequately evaluated. In an animal model of infection, the antibacterial activity of tedizolid was reduced in the absence of granulocytes. An alternative therapy should be considered in patients with neutropenia.13

Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea
Treatment with antibacterial agents can alter the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of C difficile, which contributes to the development of C difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Patients who present with diarrhea after taking antibiotics should be evaluated for CDAD. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, antibacterial medications not directed against C difficile should be discontinued, if possible. Appropriate measures should be instituted as clinically indicated.13

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy
No adequate and well-controlled studies were conducted with tedizolid phosphate in pregnant women. Tedizolid phosphate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.13

Nursing mothers
It is not known whether tedizolid phosphate is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when tedizolid phosphate is administered to a nursing woman.13

Pediatric use
The safety and effectiveness of tedizolid phosphate in pediatric patients aged <18 years have not been established.13

Geriatric use
Clinical studies of tedizolid phosphate did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged ≥65 years to determine whether they respond different from younger patients. No overall differences in pharmacokinetics were observed between elderly patients and younger patients.13

Conclusion

A new treatment option for ABSSSIs became available in June 2014 when the FDA approved tedizolid phosphate. The safety and efficacy of tedizolid phosphate were evaluated in 2 clinical trials that involved 1315 patients with an ABSSSI. Based on its early and sustained clinical response, tedizolid phosphate was shown to be as effective as linezolid for the treatment of an ABSSSI. Tedizolid phosphate is available as an injection for IV use and in tablet form for oral administration. The most common adverse reactions associated with tedizolid treatment include nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and dizziness.




References

  1. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Guidance for industry. Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: developing drugs for treatment. October 2013. www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/.../Guidances/ucm071185.pdf. Accessed July 22, 2014.
  2. Prokocimer P, De Anda C, Fang E, et al. Tedizolid phosphate vs linezo­lid for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: the ESTABLISH-1 randomized trial. JAMA. 2013;309:559-569.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic resistance threats in the United States, 2013. Updated June 2, 2014. www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf. Accessed July 22, 2013.
  4. Mayo Clinic staff. Diseases and conditions: cellulitis. February 23, 2012. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ditions/cellulitis/basics/causes/con-20023471?p=1. Accessed July 23, 2014.
  5. Gabillot-Carré M, Roujeau J-C. Acute bacterial skin infections and cellulitis. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2007; 20:118-123.
  6. Klein E, Smith DL, Laxminarayan R. Hospitalizations and deaths caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, United States, 1999-2005. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007;13:1840-1846.
  7. O’Riordan W, Green S, Mehra P, et al. Tedizolid phosphate for the management of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: efficacy summary. Clin Infect Dis. 2014;58(suppl 1):S43-S50.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections: MRSA tracking. Updated April 30, 2014. www.cdc.gov/mrsa/tracking/index.html. Accessed July 22, 2014.
  9. Carleton HA, Diep BA, Charlebois ED, et al. Community-adapted methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): population dynamics of an expanding community reservoir of MRSA. J Infect Dis. 2004;190:1730-1738.
  10. Cosgrove SE, Carmeli Y. The impact of antimicrobial resistance on health and economic outcomes. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;36:1433-1437.
  11. Hatoum HT, Akhras KS, Lin S-J. The attributable clinical and economic burden of skin and skin structure infections in hospitalized patients: a matched cohort study. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009;64:305-310.
  12. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Sivextro to treat skin infections. Press release. June 20, 2014. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm402174.htm. Accessed July 3, 2014.
  13. Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate) tablet or for injection [prescribing information]. Lexington, MA: Cubist Pharmaceuticals US; June 2014.
  14. Smith M. FDA OKs tedizo­lid for skin infections. June 21, 2014. MedPage Today. www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/46430. Accessed July 22, 2014.
  15. Moran GJ, Fang E, Corey GR, et al. Tedizolid for 6 days versus linezolid for 10 days for acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections (ESTABLISH-2): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014;14:696-705.

Related Items
Products and Services - April 2016
April 2016, Vol 4, No 4 published on April 24, 2016 in Inside Drug Update
Products and Services - March 2016
March 2016, Vol 4, No 3 published on March 25, 2016 in Inside Drug Update
Products and Services - February 2016
February 2016, Vol 4, No 2 published on March 8, 2016 in Inside Drug Update
New Perspectives in the Treatment of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression
Loretta Fala, John A. Welz, MPH
New Perspectives in the Treatment of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression published on February 2, 2016
Products and Services - January 2016
January 2016, Vol 4, No 1 published on January 28, 2016 in Inside Drug Update
Finacea (Azelaic Acid) Foam the Newest Topical Treatment FDA Approved for the Treatment of Inflammatory Lesions of Rosacea
Loretta Fala
January 2016, Vol 4, No 1 published on January 28, 2016 in Inside Drug Update
Products and Services - December 2015
December 2015, Vol 3, No 12 published on December 18, 2015 in Inside Drug Update
Cosentyx (Secukinumab): First IL-17A Antagonist Receives FDA Approval for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Loretta Fala
December 2015, Vol 3, No 12 published on December 18, 2015 in Inside Drug Update
ProAir RespiClick (Albuterol Sulfate): First Breath-Actuated Inhaler Approved for the Treatment or Prevention of Bronchospasm
Lisa A. Raedler, PhD, RPh
November 2015, Vol 3, No 11 published on December 10, 2015 in Inside Drug Update
Inside Products and Services - November 2015
November 2015, Vol 3, No 11 published on December 10, 2015 in Inside Drug Update
Last modified: April 1, 2016
  • American Health & Drug Benefits
  • The Journal of Hematology Oncology Pharmacy
  • Lynx CME
  • The Oncology Pharmacist

Search