Telavancin: a novel lipoglycopeptide.
Telavancin, a derivative of vancomycin, is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections. It has also been effective in the treatment of gram-positive pneumonia. This antibiotic has a dual mechanism of action by inhibiting peptidoglycan synthesis and causing membrane depolarization. Telavancin is consistently active against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus, linezolid-resistant S. aureus, and daptomycin-nonsusceptible strains. The drug is usually administrated intravenously at 10 mg/kg every 24 h. Telavancin is excreted by the kidneys, and thus, dosage adjustments are required in cases of renal failure. Clinical trials have demonstrated non-inferiority, compared with vancomycin, in the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections and pneumonia. Telavancin is associated with higher rates of renal events, altered taste, nausea, and vomiting but lesser rates of pruritus and infusion-related events, compared with vancomycin.
Saravolatz
Louis D
LD
St John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA. louis.saravolatz@stjohn.org
Stein
Gary E
GE
Johnson
Leonard B
LB
D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D000077427:Lipoglycopeptides
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000077427:Lipoglycopeptides; C487637:telavancin