eravacycline at a glance
Medicine class
Tetracycline antibacterial
Licensed use
Complicated intra-abdominal infections in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a healthcare professional; not a bolus injection
Stewardship category
UK Reserve antibiotic
What is eravacycline used for?
Eravacycline is licensed for:
Complicated intra-abdominal infections in adults. Antibacterial-use guidance and microbiology findings should be considered.
How does eravacycline work?
Eravacycline binds to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit and interrupts protein production, preventing susceptible bacteria from growing. It remains active against some bacteria with tetracycline efflux or ribosomal-protection resistance mechanisms, although other mechanisms can reduce activity.
eravacycline preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 100 mg
How to take eravacycline
A healthcare professional prepares eravacycline and gives it as an intravenous infusion. The powder is reconstituted and diluted with sodium chloride solution; it must not be given as an intravenous bolus.
Report pain, redness, swelling or tenderness around the infusion site.
Food does not affect administration because eravacycline is not taken by mouth.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness occurs.
eravacycline side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain, redness, swelling or inflammation around the infusion site or vein
- Inflammation or clotting in a superficial vein
- Changes in clotting tests or reduced fibrinogen
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden allergic reaction with breathing difficulty, facial swelling, faintness or collapse
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea during or after treatment, which may indicate antibiotic-associated colitis
- Severe abdominal or back pain, particularly with fever, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Severe infusion-site reaction
eravacycline in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited. Like other tetracyclines, eravacycline may affect developing teeth and bone, particularly later in pregnancy, so it should be used only when clinically required. Discuss pregnancy or plans to become pregnant promptly with the specialist team.
eravacycline while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether eravacycline enters human breast milk. Continuing breastfeeding or eravacycline requires an individual assessment of the benefits to the child and the need for maternal treatment.
eravacycline interactions
The clinical team should review prescription, non-prescription and herbal products before eravacycline is given.
Strong CYP3A inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and St John’s wort
May reduce eravacycline exposure and effectiveness, requiring specialist management.
Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including itraconazole, ritonavir and clarithromycin
May increase exposure, particularly with severe liver impairment or obesity, so adverse-effect monitoring may be needed.
OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 inhibitors, including atazanavir, ciclosporin, lopinavir and saquinavir
An interaction cannot be excluded, and eravacycline concentrations may rise.
Common questions about eravacycline
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can eravacycline be taken by mouth?
No. The selected UK formulation is only for intravenous infusion.
Can I receive it if I am allergic to doxycycline?
Eravacycline is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycycline. Tell the clinical team about any previous reaction.
Can diarrhoea occur after treatment?
Yes. Antibiotic-associated colitis can occur during or after treatment, so persistent or severe diarrhoea requires prompt assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.