ABSTRACT
Introduction
Ceftolozane is a cephalosporin similar to ceftazidime in its structure, which is marketed in combination with tazobactam, a well-known β-lactamase inhibitor.
Areas covered
After a brief introduction on the drug characteristics and efficacy, we focused on available data from randomized controlled trials and post-marketing observational studies pertaining to the safety of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). A search was conducted in PubMed from January 2010 to February 2023.
Expert opinion
The use of C/T for the treatment of cUTI is supported by solid efficacy and safety data, especially for the treatment of those pathogens where it can represent a first-line approach due to some peculiar characteristics: (i) treatment of cUTI caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in view of its frequent activity against carbapenem-resistant isolates when resistance mechanisms other than production of carbapenemases are concerned; (ii) treatment of cUTI caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in those settings where the selective pressure for carbapenem resistance needs to be relieved, as a suitable and effective carbapenem-sparing option. Although development of resistance to C/T during or after treatment has been reported, this has been reported very rarely in patients receiving C/T for the treatment of cUTI.
Declaration of Interest
Outside the submitted work, M Bassetti reports research grants and/or personal fees for advisor/consultant and/or speaker/chairman from BioMérieux, Cidara, Gilead, Menarini, MSD, Pfizer, and Shionogi. Outside the submitted work, DR Giacobbe reports investigator-initiated grants from Pfizer, Shionogi, and Gilead Italia, and speaker/advisor fees from Pfizer and Tillotts Pharma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.
Author contribution statement
M Bassetti and DR Giacobbe wrote the first draft and contributed to its revision. A Vena revised the text and contributed with comments and suggestions. All authors contributed to the literature search and review.