GHP November 2017 - Rejuvenation Dentistry

16 GHP / November 2017 , 1708GH04 IV Antibiotic That Could Reduce Pressure on the NHS An intravenous antibiotic that could benefit patients and help reduce pressure on hospitals is available in the UK. Xydalba™ (dalbavancin hydrochloride) is an IV antibiotic approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in adults. It is the first and only option for ABSSSI that offers a complete course of IV therapy delivered as a single 30-minute infusion. Compared to other IV antibiotics that may need to be administered for up to 14 days and can require hospitalisation, in clinical trials, Xydalba successfully treated a majority of patients as outpatients. 3 Xydalba’s clinical development programme also demonstrated that it was as effective and as well tolerated as other intravenous antibiotics. 1,2,3 Xydalba was also shown to be effective against MSSA and MRSA bacteria. 1 ABSSSI can be potentially life-threatening. They include conditions such as cellulitis/ erysipelas, wound infections and major skin (cutaneous) abscesses. There are more than 290,000 estimated cases of serious skin infections in the UK, with 79% receiving IV antibiotics as a first line treatment. 4 Cellulitis accounts for 8% of emergency hospital admissions. 5 At present, IV antibiotic treatment for ABSSSI can be administered in the hospital, through outpatient departments, or OPAT (Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy) centres. There are many health and social issues, such as a challenging home environment, inadequate transport or a lack of available support from family or caregivers which can exclude patients from OPAT services. This results in admission and admission and a period of time in hospital. 6 Xydalba can be delivered in one or two-doses and offers the opportunity for these patients to be treated and discharged home earlier. 2 Prof David Livermore of the Norwich Medical School (University of East Anglia) commented: “One- or two-dose regimens of dalbavancin have the potential to get ABSSSI patients home early and to remodel how we think of OPAT.” Over 15,000 patients have already been treated with dalbavancin globally. 7 Said Kiran Bhirangi, Head of Medical Affairs Cardiome: “Xydalba represents a significant breakthrough in how more severe cases of ABSSSI are treated. It enables the patient to receive a course of effective treatment and go home. “If the patient remains in the hospital for daily infusions, this not only uses the scarce resources of the NHS, but increases the risk of patients contracting further infections. “Because a majority of the patients in the single dose trial were treated as outpatients, leaving the hospital can be an option, reducing the need for taking time off work, or for caregivers having to take time off to care for family members. It also removes the issues of non- compliance to oral medication. 3 Xydalba is classified as a ‘narrow spectrum’ antibiotic. Government guidelines currently recommend the use of narrow spectrum antibiotics, where appropriate, to help prevent antibiotic resistance. 8 About Xydalba Xydalba (dalbavancin hydrochloride) for infusion is a second-generation, semi- synthetic lipoglycopeptide, which consists of a lipophilic side- chain added to an enhanced glycopeptide backbone. Xydalba is the first and only 30-minute, one dose treatment option for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) that delivers a full course of IV therapy. Xydalba can be administered as either one 1500mg dose or as a two-dose regimen of 1000mg followed one week later by 500mg, each administered over 30 minutes. Xydalba demonstrates bactericidal activity in vitro against a range of Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin- resistant, also known as MRSA, strains) and Streptococcus pyogenes, as well as certain other streptococcal species. For further information go to www.xydalba.co Refer to Summary of Product Characteristics before prescribing www.medicines. org. uk/emc/medicine/32656 For healthcare professionals only.