Plazomicin – A Quick Take On A Complex Drug With A Complex Development Path

Whenever a new drug is in late stage development, its prospects become the focus of intense scrutiny. Plazomicin (ACHN-490), like any Phase 3 drug should be evaluated along the following dimensions: Differentiation: within its class & compared to competitors: Does it have a unique clearly definable profile? Addressing an unmet need: Continue reading Plazomicin – A Quick Take On A Complex Drug With A Complex Development Path

Treating GC in the Face of Dwindling Antibiotic Options – (1)

Looking across the Northern border it is clear that CDC Guidelines are not universally followed even in North America. Public Health Canada still recommends cefixime for uncomplicated gonorrhea (GC), albeit at the high single oral dose of 800 mg [1]. In the US, CDC has opted for combination treatment with ceftriaxone Continue reading Treating GC in the Face of Dwindling Antibiotic Options – (1)

No Easy Day: Dose Calculations for Aminoglycosides and Vancomycin

Searching data on antibiotic use in surgery prophylaxis, I came across an article from the Mayo Clinic [1].  The authors mention that approx. 75% of patients that developed surgical site infections did not get proper antibiotic prophylaxis.  Errors were made in (1) selection of the antibiotic, (2) timing of administration, (3) antibiotic Continue reading No Easy Day: Dose Calculations for Aminoglycosides and Vancomycin