eravacycline

Brand: Xerava

Prototype: tigecycline
Drug Class: fluorocycline antibiotic
Drug Family: antibiotic
Subclass: novel tetracycline analog (fluorocycline)
Organ Systems: infectious-disease

Mechanism of Action

Novel synthetic fluorocycline; binds 30S ribosomal subunit with high affinity, overcoming most tetracycline resistance mechanisms; active against many MDR gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms.

30S ribosomal subunit

Indications

  • complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI)

Contraindications

  • eravacycline hypersensitivity
  • pregnancy

Adverse Effects

Common

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • infusion-site reactions

Serious

  • anaphylaxis
  • fetal harm
  • pseudotumor cerebri

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

Absorption IV only (at time of approval); oral formulation under study
Distribution large Vd; extensive tissue distribution
Metabolism hepatic (CYP3A4)
Excretion fecal (primarily) and renal
Half-life 20 hours
Onset immediate (IV)
Peak end of infusion
Duration 12 hours
Protein Binding 79%
Vd large

Drug Interactions

Drug / Agent Mechanism Severity
CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin) reduced eravacycline exposure; may require dose adjustment moderate
warfarin potential INR elevation via gut flora suppression moderate

Nursing Considerations

  1. Administer IV over 60 minutes every 12 hours for 4–14 days depending on clinical response.
  2. Pre-medicate with an antihistamine 30–60 minutes before infusion if infusion reactions occur.
  3. Confirm no pregnancy before initiating; contraindicated in pregnancy as with all tetracyclines.
  4. Monitor hepatic function with prolonged use; dose adjustment required in severe hepatic impairment.

Clinical Pearls

  • Eravacycline represents a new generation of tetracycline analogs designed to overcome both ribosomal protection and efflux-pump resistance while reducing the nausea incidence seen with tigecycline.
  • Unlike tigecycline, eravacycline does not carry a black box warning for increased mortality, though clinical data are more limited; it is currently restricted to the cIAI indication.

Safety Profile

Pregnancy contraindicated
Lactation avoid
Renal Adjustment Not required
Hepatic Adjustment Required
TDM Not required
Guideline Update pending

Concordance Terms

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