Feb. 10, 2025 -- The FDA has approved a new antibiotic combination called Emblaveo to treat serious infections of the abdomen in adults who have few or no other treatment options. It will be given through an IV and used with another antibiotic called metronidazole.
Emblavio is designed to treat infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics. These bacteria produce enzymes that break down antibiotics, making them less effective. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been growing over the years, turning simple infections into serious health risks. In 2021, AMR led to over a million deaths worldwide, highlighting the need for new treatments.
Emblavio combines aztreonam, an antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing, and avibactam, which blocks enzymes that break down the antibiotic. Together, they help fight resistant bacteria and treat tough infections more effectively. Both drugs had already been approved separately by the FDA.
The approval was based on a clinical trial involving 422 patients with serious infections that compared the effectiveness of Emblaveo to meropenem, another antibiotic. Results showed that Emblaveo had similar cure rates compared with meropenem for treating complicated intra-abdominal infections (76.4% vs 74%). Emblaveo also showed lower mortality rates with no serious side effects.
Common side effects include liver problems, anemia, diarrhea, low potassium levels, and fever. Before starting treatment, patients should tell their doctors if they have liver problems, skin issues, or a history of allergic reactions to any antibiotic.
The medication is expected to be available in the U.S. by late 2025, according to a news release by Abbvie, Emblaveo’s maker.
