What is Zinplava?
Zinplava is a monoclonal antigen. Monoclonal antibodies specifically target specific cells within the body. Bezlotoxumab functions by binding to a certain toxin made from the Clostridium candida bacteria in order to neutralize the effects of the toxin.
Zinplava is used in conjunction with antibiotics in adults suffering from Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile), an infection that can lead to serious diarrhea. Bezlotoxumab could help prevent the infection from recurring following treatment.Zinplava doesn't work as an antibiotic and is not able to treat the condition by itself.
Warnings
Before receiving Zinplava, inform your doctor about all of your medical conditions or allergies and the medications you're taking. Make sure your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Before you take this drug
To ensure that Zinplava is appropriate for you, consult your doctor if you have:
- Congestive heart failure.
It isn't known if Zinplava can affect a baby who is not yet born. Inform your doctor if you are expecting.
It's not clear if bezlotoxumab gets into breast milk or if it can harm the nursing infant. Contact your physician if you have a baby to breastfeed.This medication is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How to take Zinplava?
Zinplava is administered through an IV. Your healthcare provider will provide the injection.This medication should be administered slowly, and the IV infusion could take around 60 minutes before it is completed.Zinplava does not have antibacterial properties and is not able to help treat the underlying problem. You should take antibiotics in order to manage C. Difficile infections.
Take your antibiotic medicine for the entire prescribed duration. The symptoms could improve before the infection is completely gone. Inadvertently avoiding the doses you take of antibiotics could increase the chance of developing a new infection that is resistant to antibiotics.Take note of all patient information, including medication guides and instruction sheets, that you receive. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about any additional concerns.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Clostridial Infection:
10 mg/kg IV over 60 minutes as a single dose
Use: To decrease the recurrence of Clostridium diarrhea (CDI) in patients aged 18 years old or more who are receiving antibacterial medication for treatment for CDI and who are at high risk of the recurrence of CDI.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Because Zinplava is only a single dose, it doesn't require a daily dose regimen.
What happens if I overdose?
Since the medicine is prescribed by a medical expert in a medical environment, the risk of overdose is less likely to occur.
Avoid this
Follow the instructions of your physician regarding restrictions on food or beverages.
Side effects of Zinplava
Get immediate medical attention. If you exhibit symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to Zinplava, such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,
See your doctor right away. If you suffer from:
- The symptoms that are getting worse are more severe symptoms. C. Difficile symptoms, including extreme stomach pain or diarrhea that is watery;
- Swelling in your ankles, hands, or feet;
- Rapid weight increase, rapid weight gain
- Breathlessness (even when exerting only a little).
Common Zinplava side effects can include:
- Nausea;
- Fever
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Seek advice from your doctor for medical advice regarding adverse reactions. It is possible to report any adverse allergic reactions or symptoms to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Other medications may interact with bezlotoxumab, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, such as vitamins and herbal products. Inform all of your health professionals about the medicines you take currently and all medicines that you decide to stop or begin taking.
