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Overview: Xerava is an antibiotic used to treat certain types of abdominal infections caused by bacteria, such as gallbladder, intestine, or appendix infections. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site. Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, even if it is a couple of months after you stop using Xerava.

Uses

What is Xerava used for?

Xerava (eravacycline) is an antibiotic commonly used to treat certain types of abdominal infections caused by bacteria. Examples of abdominal infections include the following.

Xerava may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Xerava, which will make it not work as well.

Xerava may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Xerava work (mechanism of action)?

Xerava kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create proteins. 

How is Xerava supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Xerava

Dosage forms and strengths

Xerava is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store Xerava?

Xerava is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Xerava?

The most common side effects of Xerava are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site

There may be other side effects of Xerava that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Xerava?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Xerava are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Permanent Teeth Discoloration. Xerava can cause a permanent change in tooth color to yellow, grey, or brown. It may also affect growth of tooth enamel (also called enamel hypoplasia). These side effects can happen during tooth development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up eight years old. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is using Xerava and is less than eight years old, talk about this with your healthcare provider.

Bone Growth Problems. Xerava can cause problems with bone growth, during bone development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to eight years old. These effects seem to be reversible once the medicine is stopped. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is using Xerava and is less than eight years old, talk about this with your healthcare provider.

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Xerava. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Another Infection. Using Xerava may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your healthcare provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse.

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Xerava or medicines that are similar to it can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri (or increased intracranial pressure). Stop using Xerava and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Vision changes

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Xerava or medicines similar to it may make your skin very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Xerava may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Xerava and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Xerava?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Xerava.

  • Xerava
  • Eravacycline
  • Any other medicine known as a tetracycline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Xerava.

What should I know about Xerava before using it?

Xerava is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Xerava?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Xerava is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Previous allergic reactions to any medicines

Other Medicines and Supplements. Xerava may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Xerava, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Xerava may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using Xerava, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Xerava passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for causing serious side effects in the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for four days after the last dose. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

How can I get more information about Xerava?

For more information about Xerava, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.innovivaspecialtytherapeutics.com or call them at 800-651-3861.

Interactions

Does Xerava interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Xerava and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Xerava, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection

Does Xerava interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following, before using Xerava.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Xerava. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Xerava. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Xerava?

If you or someone else has used too much Xerava, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Xerava?

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Xerava, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Xerava or other similar medicines.

Xerava is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving Xerava as scheduled.