bezlotoxumab (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:Zinplava

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

solution for injection

  • 1000mg/40mL vial (25mg/mL) single-dose vial

Clostridioides difficile Infection

Indicated to reduce recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients who are receiving antibacterial drug treatment for CDI and are at a high risk of recurrence

10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr as a single dose

See Administration for information on preparing IV dilution and use of filter during IV infusion

Dosage Modifications

Renal or hepatic impairment

  • No dosage adjustment required
  • No clinically meaningful differences in the exposure of bezlotoxumab were found between patients with renal or hepatic impairment and patients with normal renal or normal hepatic function

Dosing Considerations

Safety and efficacy of repeat administration in patients with CDI have not been studied

Limitations of use

  • Not indicated for treatment of CDI
  • Bezlotoxumab is not an antibacterial drug
  • Should only be used in conjunction with antibacterial drug treatment of CDI

Dosage Forms & Strengths

solution for injection

  • 1000mg/40mL vial (25mg/mL) single-dose vial

Clostridioides difficile Infection

Indicated to reduce recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients aged ≥1 year who are receiving antibacterial drug treatment for CDI and are at a high risk for CDI recurrence

<1 year: Safety and efficacy not established

≥1 year: 10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr as a single dose

See Administration for information on preparing IV dilution and use of filter during IV infusion

Dosage Modifications

Renal or hepatic impairment

  • No dosage adjustment required
  • No clinically meaningful differences in the exposure of bezlotoxumab were found between patients with renal or hepatic impairment and patients with normal renal or normal hepatic function

Dosing Considerations

Safety and efficacy of repeat administration in patients with CDI have not been studied

Limitations of use

  • Not indicated for treatment of CDI
  • Bezlotoxumab is not an antibacterial drug
  • Should only be used in conjunction with antibacterial drug treatment of CDI
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Adverse Effects

>10%

Heart failure, history of CHF (12.7%)

1-10%

Infusion-related reactions (10%)

Nausea 7%

Pyrexia 5%

Headache 4%

Heart failure, no history of CHF (2.3%)

Dyspnea (1%)

Hypertension (1%)

Dizziness (1%)

Fatigue (1%)

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Warnings

Contraindications

None

Cautions

Heart failure was reported more commonly in clinical trials in bezlotoxumab-treated patients compared with placebo; these adverse reactions occurred primarily in patients with underlying congestive heart failure

In patients with a history of CHF, bezlotoxumab should be reserved for use when benefits outweigh risks

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Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Adequate and well-controlled studies of bezlotoxumab have not been conducted in pregnant women

No animal reproductive and developmental studies have been conducted

Lactation

Unknown if distributed in human breast milk

Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Human monoclonal antibody that binds to C difficile toxin B and neutralizes its effects; does not bind to C difficile toxin A

Absorption

Peak plasma concentration: 185 mcg/mL (adults); 139 mcg/mL (children)

AUC: 53,000 mcg·h/mL (adults); 47,900 mcg·h/mL (children)

Distribution

Vd: 7.33 L

Metabolism

Eliminated by catabolism; no metabolic drug-drug interactions are expected

Elimination

Half-life: ~19 days

Clearance: 0.317 L/day; increases with increasing body weight

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Administration

IV Compatibilities

0.9% NaCl

D5W

IV Preparation

Must be diluted before IV infusion

Prepare the diluted solution immediately after removal of the vial(s) from refrigerated storage, or the vial(s) may be stored at room temperature protected from light for up to 24 hr before preparation of the diluted solution

Inspect vial contents for discoloration and particulate matter prior to dilution; should appear as a clear-to-moderately opalescent, colorless-to-pale yellow solution

Do not use the vial if the solution is discolored or contains visible particles

Do not shake the vial

Withdraw the required volume from the vial(s) based on the patient’s weight (in kg) and transfer into an IV bag containing either 0.9% NaCl or D5W to prepare a diluted solution with a final concentration ranging from 1-10 mg/mL

Mix diluted solution by gentle inversion; do not shake

Discard vial(s) and all unused contents

IV Administration

Infuse diluted solution IV over 1 hr as a one-time single dose using a sterile, nonpyrogenic, low-protein binding 0.2-5 micron inline or add-on filter

Can be infused via a central line or peripheral catheter

Do not administer as an IV push or bolus

Do not coadminister other drugs simultaneously through the same infusion line

Administer during antibacterial drug treatment for CDI

Storage

Does not contain preservatives

Unopened vials

  • Refrigerate at 2-8ºC (36-46ºF) in original carton to protect from light
  • Do not freeze
  • Do not shake

Diluted solution

  • May be stored either at room temperature for up to 16 hr or under refrigeration at 2-8°C (36-46°F) for up to 24 hr
  • If refrigerated, allow the IV bag to come to room temperature prior to use
  • These time limits include storage of the infusion solution in the IV bag through the duration of infusion
  • Do not freeze the diluted solution
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Images

No images available for this drug.
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Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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Formulary

FormularyPatient Discounts

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The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

Tier Description
1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
Code Definition
PA Prior Authorization
Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
QL Quantity Limits
Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
ST Step Therapy
Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
OR Other Restrictions
Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.