This site is intended for US health care professionals.
01. Foundational / Icons / 32x32px/Menu @1x Open Menu 01. Foundational / Icons / 32x32px/Close @1x Close Menu

Announcements

Outpatient utilization of ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam)

Learn about:

Utilization of ZERBAXA in inpatient and outpatient health care settings1

Inpatient and Outpatient Utilization of ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam)

Stability and dosing

Drug stability is an important consideration when selecting an antimicrobial for outpatient use2

Stability of ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) at Room Temperature and Refrigerated

Upon constitution with sterile water for injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection, reconstituted solution of ZERBAXA may be held in the vial for 1 hour prior to transfer and dilution of the solution (with 0.9% of sodium chloride or 5% dextrose) in a suitable infusion bag.

Following dilution of the solution with 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose, ZERBAXA is stable for 24 hours when stored at room temperature or 7 days when stored under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Discard unused portion.

  • Constituted ZERBAXA solution or diluted ZERBAXA infusion should not be frozen.

Dosing: ZERBAXA is infused over a 1-hour period

Dosage of ZERBAXA by infection in adult patients (18 years and older) with CrCIa >50 mL/min

  • The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and site of infection and the patient’s clinical and bacteriological progress.

Dosage of ZERBAXA in adult patients with renal impairment (CrCla ≤50 mL/min)

  • The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and site of infection and the patient’s clinical and bacteriological progress.
  • For patients with changing renal function, monitor CrCl at least daily and adjust dosage of ZERBAXA accordingly.

Dosage of ZERBAXA by infection in pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age) with eGFRc greater than 50 mL/min/1.73 m2

bUsed in conjunction with metronidazole.

cEstimated GFR using an age-appropriate equation for use in the pediatric population.

dPediatric patients weighing greater than 50 kg should not exceed a maximum dose of 1.5 g.

There is insufficient information to recommend a dosage regimen for pediatric patients with HABP/VABP.

Dosage adjustments in pediatric patients with cUTI or cIAI and with renal impairment

Dosage adjustment of ZERBAXA in pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years of age) with eGFR of 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less has not been determined. ZERBAXA is not recommended in pediatric patients who have an eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less.

cIAI, complicated intra-abdominal infection; CrCl, creatinine clearance; cUTI, complicated urinary tract infection; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESRD, end-stage renal disease; HABP, hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia; VABP, ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia.

Outpatient information

Download the outpatient utilization and dosing information resource for ZERBAXA.

Download PDF

Questions About Ordering? Contact the Merck National Service Center 1-800-672-6372 (1-800-NSC-Merc).

References

  1. Data available on request from Merck Professional Services-DAP, WP1-27, PO Box 4, West Point, PA 19486-0004. Please specify information package US-ZER-01761.
  2.  Norris AH, Shrestha NK, Allison GM, et al. 2018 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the management of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;68(1):e1-e35.doi:10.1093/cid/ciy745

Indications and Usage

  • ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.
  • ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • ZERBAXA used in combination with metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus salivarius.

 

Usage

 

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Important Safety Information

  • Patients with renal impairment: Decreased efficacy of ZERBAXA has been observed in patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to ≤50 mL/min. In a clinical trial of adult patients, patients with cIAIs with CrCl >50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 85.2% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 87.9% when treated with meropenem. In the same trial, patients with CrCl 30 to ≤50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 47.8% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 69.2% when treated with meropenem. A similar trend was also seen in the cUTI trial. Dose adjustment is required for adult patients with CrCl 50 mL/min or less. All doses of ZERBAXA are administered over 1 hour. Monitor CrCl at least daily in patients with changing renal function and adjust the dose of ZERBAXA accordingly.
  • Hypersensitivity: ZERBAXA is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to the components of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/ tazobactam), piperacillin/tazobactam, or other members of the beta-lactam class. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterials. Before initiating therapy with ZERBAXA, make careful inquiry about previous hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins, or other beta-lactams. If an anaphylactic reaction to ZERBAXA occurs, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy.
  • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis, has been reported with nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including ZERBAXA. Careful medical history is necessary because CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is confirmed, antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile should be discontinued, if possible.
  • Development of drug-resistant bacteria: Prescribing ZERBAXA in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and risks the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with HABP/VABP: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the HABP/VABP trial were hepatic transaminase increased (11.9%), renal impairment/renal failure (8.9%), and diarrhea (6.4%).
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI and cIAI trials were headache (5.8%) in the cUTI trial, and nausea (7.9%), diarrhea (6.2%), and pyrexia (5.6%) in the cIAI trial.
  • Adverse reactions in pediatric patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cIAI trial were diarrhea (17%), thrombocytosis (16%), pyrexia (13%), abdominal pain (11%), vomiting (10%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (7%), and anemia (7%). The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI trial were thrombocytosis (9%), leukopenia (8%), diarrhea (7%), and pyrexia (7%).
  • Pediatric Use: There is insufficient information to recommend dosage adjustment for pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age with cIAI and cUTI with eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or less. ZERBAXA is not recommended in pediatric patients who have an eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or less. Pediatric patients born at term or pre-term may not have an eGFR of 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or greater at birth or within the first few months of life.

Before prescribing ZERBAXA, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information.

Indications and Usage

  • ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.
  • ZERBAXA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • ZERBAXA used in combination with metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (birth to less than 18 years old) with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus salivarius.

 

Usage

 

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZERBAXA and other antibacterial drugs, ZERBAXA should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with hospital-

ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms:

Important Safety Information

  • Patients with renal impairment: Decreased efficacy of ZERBAXA has been observed in patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to ≤50 mL/min. In a clinical trial of adult patients, patients with cIAIs with CrCl >50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 85.2% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 87.9% when treated with meropenem. In the same trial, patients with CrCl 30 to ≤50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 47.8% when treated with ZERBAXA plus metronidazole vs 69.2% when treated with meropenem. A similar trend was also seen in the cUTI trial. Dose adjustment is required for adult patients with CrCl 50 mL/min or less. All doses of ZERBAXA are administered over 1 hour. Monitor CrCl at least daily in patients with changing renal function and adjust the dose of ZERBAXA accordingly.
  • Hypersensitivity: ZERBAXA is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to the components of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane/ tazobactam), piperacillin/tazobactam, or other members of the beta-lactam class. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterials. Before initiating therapy with ZERBAXA, make careful inquiry about previous hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins, or other beta-lactams. If an anaphylactic reaction to ZERBAXA occurs, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy.
  • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis, has been reported with nearly all systemic antibacterial agents, including ZERBAXA. Careful medical history is necessary because CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is confirmed, antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile should be discontinued, if possible.
  • Development of drug-resistant bacteria: Prescribing ZERBAXA in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and risks the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with HABP/VABP: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the HABP/VABP trial were hepatic transaminase increased (11.9%), renal impairment/renal failure (8.9%), and diarrhea (6.4%).
  • Adverse reactions in adult patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of adult patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI and cIAI trials were headache (5.8%) in the cUTI trial, and nausea (7.9%), diarrhea (6.2%), and pyrexia (5.6%) in the cIAI trial.
  • Adverse reactions in pediatric patients with cIAI or cUTI: The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cIAI trial were diarrhea (17%), thrombocytosis (16%), pyrexia (13%), abdominal pain (11%), vomiting (10%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (7%), and anemia (7%). The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥7% of pediatric patients receiving ZERBAXA in the cUTI trial were thrombocytosis (9%), leukopenia (8%), diarrhea (7%), and pyrexia (7%).
  • Pediatric Use: There is insufficient information to recommend dosage adjustment for pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age with cIAI and cUTI with eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or less. ZERBAXA is not recommended in pediatric patients who have an eGFR 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or less. Pediatric patients born at term or pre-term may not have an eGFR of 50 mL/min/1.73m 2 or greater at birth or within the first few months of life.

Before prescribing ZERBAXA, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information.

Patients with renal impairment: Decreased efficacy of ZERBAXA has been observed in

Patients with renal impairment: Decreased efficacy of ZERBAXA has been observed in patients with baseline CrCl of 30 to ≤50 mL/min. In a clinical trial of adult patients, patients with cIAIs with CrCl >50 mL/min had a clinical cure rate of 85.2% when