Drug Reference

Fosfomycin

Other antibacterials

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Therapeutic class
Other antibacterials
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Contepo

Available as

6000 MG · Injection3000 MG · Oral Solution

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
INDICATIONS & USAGE Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution is indicated only for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) in women due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis . Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscess. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution, other therapeutic agents should be selected. (See PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL STUDIES sections.)
How it works
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Absorption: Fosfomycin tromethamine is rapidly absorbed following oral administration and converted to the free acid, fosfomycin. Absolute oral bioavailability under fasting conditions is 37%. After a single 3-gram dose of fosfomycin tromethamine, the mean (± 1 SD) maximum serum concentration (C max ) achieved was 26.1 (± 9.1) mcg/mL within 2 hours. The oral bioavailability of fosfomycin is reduced to 30% under fed conditions. Following a single 3-gram oral dose of fosfomycin tromethamine with a high-fat meal, the mean C max achieved was 17.6 (± 4.4) mcg/mL within 4 hours. Cimetidine does not affect the pharmacokinetics of fosfomycin when coadministered with fosfomycin tromethamine. Metoclopramide lowers the serum concentrations and urinary excretion of fosfomycin when coadministered with fosfomycin tromethamine. (See PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions .) Distribution: The mean apparent steady-state volume of distribution (V ss ) is 136.1 (±44.1) L following oral administration of fosfomycin tromethamine. Fosfomycin is not bound to plasma proteins. Fosfomycin is distributed to the kidneys, bladder wall, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Following a 50 mg/kg dose of fosfomycin to patients undergoing urological surgery for bladder carcinoma, the mean concentration of fosfomycin in the bladder, taken at a distance from the neoplastic site, was 18.0 mcg per gram of tissue at 3 hours after dosing. Fosfomycin has been shown to cross the placental barrier in animals and man. Excretion: Fosfomycin is excreted unchanged in both urine and feces. Following oral administration of fosfomycin tromethamine, the mean total body clearance (CL TB ) and mean renal clearance (CL R ) of fosfomycin were 16.9 (± 3.5) L/hr and 6.3 (± 1.7) L/hr, respectively. Approximately 38% of a 3-gram dose of fosfomycin tromethamine is recovered from urine, and 18% is recovered from feces. Following intravenous administration, the mean CL TB and mean CL R of fosfomycin were 6.1 (±1.0) L/hr and 5.5 (± 1.2) L/hr, respectively. A mean urine fosfomycin concentration of 706 (± 466) mcg/mL was attained within 2 to 4 hours after a single oral 3-gm dose of fosfomycin tromethamine under fasting conditions. The mean urinary concentration of fosfomycin was 10 mcg/mL in samples collected 72 to 84 hours following a single oral dose of fosfomycin tromethamine. Following a 3-gram dose of fosfomycin tromethamine granules administered with a high fat meal, a mean urine fosfomycin concentration of 537 (± 252) mcg/mL was attained within 6 to 8 hours. Although the rate of urinary excretion of fosfomycin was reduced under fed conditions, the cumulative amount of fosfomycin excreted in the urine was the same, 1118 (± 201) mg (fed) vs. 1140 mg (± 238) (fasting). Further, urinary concentrations equal to or greater than 100 mcg/mL were maintained for the same duration, 26 hours, indicating that fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution can be taken without regard to food. Special Po
How to use / dosing
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage for women 18 years of age and older for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (acute cystitis) is one sachet of fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution. Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution may be taken with or without food. Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution should not be taken in its dry form. Always mix fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution with water before ingesting. (See PREPARATION section.) PREPARATION Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution should be taken orally. Pour the entire contents of a single-dose sachet of fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution into 3 to 4 ounces of water (1/2 cup) and stir to dissolve. Do not use hot water. Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution should be taken immediately after dissolving in water.
Side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Trials: In clinical studies, drug related adverse events which were reported in greater than 1% of the fosfomycin-treated study population are listed below: Drug-Related Adverse Events (%) in Fosfomycin and Comparator Populations Adverse Events Fosfomycin N=1233 Nitrofurantoin N=374 Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole N=428 Ciprofoxacin N=455 Diarrhea 9.0 6.4 2.3 3.1 Vaginitis 5.5 5.3 4.7 6.3 Nausea 4.1 7.2 8.6 3.4 Headache 3.9 5.9 5.4 3.4 Dizziness 1.3 1.9 2.3 2.2 Asthenia 1.1 0.3 0.5 0.0 Dyspepsia 1.1 2.1 0.7 1.1 In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse events occurring in greater than 1% of the study population regardless of drug relationship were: diarrhea 10.4%, headache 10.3%, vaginitis 7.6%, nausea 5.2%, rhinitis 4.5%, back pain 3.0%, dysmenorrheal 2.6%, pharyngitis 2.5%, dizziness 2.3%, abdominal pain 2.2%, pain 2.2%, dyspepsia 1.8%, asthenia 1.7%, and rash 1.4%. The following adverse events occurred in clinical trials at a rate of less than 1%, regardless of drug relationship: abnormal stools, anorexia, constipation, dry mouth, dysuria, ear disorder, fever, flatulence, flu syndrome, hematuria, infection, insomnia, lymphadenopathy, menstrual disorder, migraine, myalgia, nervousness, paresthesia, pruritus, SGPT increased, skin disorder, somnolence, and vomiting. One patient developed unilateral optic neuritis, an event considered possibly related to fosfomycin tromethamine therapy. Post-marketing Experience: Serious adverse events from the marketing experience with fosfomycin tromethamine outside of the United States have been rarely reported and include: angioedema, aplastic anemia, asthma (exacerbation), cholestatic jaundice, hepatic necrosis, and toxic megacolon. Although causality has not been established, during post marketing surveillance, the following events have occurred in patients prescribed fosfomycin tromethamine: anaphylaxis and hearing loss. Laboratory Changes: Significant laboratory changes reported in U.S. clinical trials of fosfomycin tromethamine without regard to drug relationship include: increased eosinophil count, increased or decreased WBC count, increased bilirubin, increased SGPT, increased SGOT, increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased hematocrit, decreased hemoglobin, increased and decreased platelet count. The changes were generally transient and were not clinically significant.

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
PREGNANCY Teratogenic Effects When administered intramuscularly as the sodium salt at a dose of 1 gram to pregnant women, fosfomycin crosses the placental barrier. Fosfomycin tromethamine crosses the placental barrier of rats; it does not produce teratogenic effects in pregnant rats at dosages as high as 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 9 and 1.4 times the human dose based on body weight and mg/m 2 , respectively). When administered to pregnant female rabbits at dosages as high as 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 9 and 2.7 times the human dose based on body weight and mg/m 2 , respectively), fetotoxicities were observed. However, these toxicities were seen at maternally toxic doses and were considered to be due to the sensitivity of the rabbit to changes in the intestinal microflora resulting from the antibiotic administration. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
NURSING MOTHERS It is not known whether fosfomycin tromethamine is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from fosfomycin tromethamine, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to not administer the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
WARNINGS Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including fosfomycin tromethamine, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Fosfomycin tromethamine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.

Pediatric use

PEDIATRIC USE Safety and effectiveness in children age 12 years and under have not been established in adequate and well-controlled studies.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
DRUG INTERACTIONS Metoclopramide: When coadministered with fosfomycin tromethamine, metoclopramide, a drug which increases gastrointestinal motility, lowers the serum concentration and urinary excretion of fosfomycin. Other drugs that increase gastrointestinal motility may produce similar effects. Cimetidine: Cimetidine does not affect the pharmacokinetics of fosfomycin when coadministered with fosfomycin tromethamine.
Overdose
OVERDOSAGE In acute toxicology studies, oral administration of high doses of fosfomycin tromethamine up to 5 g/kg were well-tolerated in mice and rats, produced transient and minor incidences of watery stools in rabbits, and produced diarrhea with anorexia in dogs occurring 2 to 3 days after single dose administration. These doses represent 50 to 125 times the human therapeutic dose. The following events have been observed in patients who have taken fosfomycin tromethamine in overdose: vestibular loss, impaired hearing, metallic taste, and general decline in taste perception. In the event of overdosage, treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

3 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.