Fidaxomicin: a minimally absorbed macrocyclic antibiotic for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections

Abstract

Fidaxomicin was approved for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections in 2011. It has a novel mechanism of action and narrow spectrum of activity that makes it unique among the currently used therapies for this disease. Phase III clinical studies demonstrated a benefit of fidaxomicin over vancomycin for the outcomes of recurrence and global cure or sustained clinical response. This observation was confirmed within specific populations, including those of older age, immunocompromised due to active cancers, and patients taking concomitant antibiotics. Additionally, fidaxomicin significantly reduced recurrence rates compared to vancomycin among patients receiving treatment for recurrent C. difficile episodes. Fidaxomicin represents an advance in therapy for the treatment of C. difficile infections.

Keywords::

• Clostridium difficile
• Dificid
• fidaxomicin

Financial & competing interest’s disclosure

LH Danziger is a consultant for Optimer Pharmaceuticals and is on the speaker’s board for both Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Cubist Pharmaceuticals. He is the primary investigator for a Cubist Pharmaceuticals-sponsored research study. MM Soriano is a site study coordinator for a Cubist Pharmaceuticals-sponsored research study. 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.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.