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Zerbaxa: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Facts
Status:
Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
1 g / 0.5 g
Active ingredients:
ATC code:
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Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · About this document

Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Zerbaxa

What is ZERBAXA® used for?

ZERBAXA® is used by healthcare professionals to treat adults age 18 years or older with:

  • Complicated infections within the abdomen and urinary tract infections, including a condition called “pyelonephritis” (a type of urinary tract infection that affects one or both kidneys) in adults.
  • A condition called nosocomial pneumia. This is an infection of the lungs that you can get if you have been hospitalized. This includes a condition called ventilator-associated pneumonia. This is an infection of the lungs that you can get while you are on a respirator.

Antibacterial drugs like ZERBAXA® treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. Although you may feel better early in treatment, ZERBAXA® should be taken exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of ZERBAXA® could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by ZERBAXA® (resistance). This means that ZERBAXA® may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.

How does ZERBAXA® work?

ZERBAXA® contains 2 active substances. Ceftolozane prevents the growth of the bacterial cell wall and tazobactam binds to bacterial enzymes (e.g. beta-lactamases) that breakdown the antibiotics. Both work together to kill bacteria and reduce the infection.

What are the ingredients in ZERBAXA®?

Medicinal ingredients: ceftolozane 1 g (as ceftolozane sulfate) and tazobactam 0.5 g (as tazobactam sodium) per vial.

Serious Warnings and Precautions Severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis) have occurred with beta-lactam antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to antibacterial drugs such as penicillins, cephalosporin or carbapenem. If you have a severe allergic reaction, stop taking ZERBAXA® and get immediate medical attention (See What are the possible side effects).

Non-medicinal ingredients: citric acid, L-arginine, and sodium chloride

ZERBAXA® comes in the following dosage forms:

ZERBAXA® is available as a lyophilized powder injection for intravenous use.

Do not use ZERBAXA® if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to:

  • this drug or to any ingredient listed above.
  • antibiotics like penicillin, or medicines known as “cephalosporins”, or other beta-lactams.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ZERBAXA®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • know you are, or have previously been hypersensitive to penicillins, cephalosporins, beta-lactamases, or other antibacterial medicines.
  • have recently had diarrhea, or have had diarrhea before taking this medicine.
  • have liver or kidney problems.

  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

  • are breast-feeding or planning to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with ZERBAXA®:

  • Probenecid (a drug used to treat gout)

How to take ZERBAXA®:

  • ZERBAXA® will be given to you by a healthcare professional.
  • It will be infused into your vein.
  • Follow all instructions given to you by your healthcare professional.

Usual dose:

  • Your doctor will decide how much ZERBAXA® you will be given and for how many days you will receive it.
  • The dose you are given will depend on the type of your infection and where it is in your body.
  • If you have kidney problems, your dose may be reduced.

The usual dose of ZERBAXA® for adults is 1.5 g (1 g ceftolozane and 0.5 g tazobactam) or 3 g (containing 2 g of ceftolozane and 1 g of tazobactam) administered every 8 hours by intravenous (IV) infusion over 1 hour, administered by the healthcare professional.

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much ZERBAXA®, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose:

ZERBAXA® is usually administered by a healthcare professional. If you suspect a missed dose, talk to your healthcare professional.

What are possible side effects from using ZERBAXA®?

Like all medicines, ZERBAXA® may have side effects.

Patients treated for complicated bacterial infections within the abdomen and urinary tract system

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

  • Increase in the number of certain types of blood cells known as platelets
  • Anemia
  • Decrease in potassium (from blood tests)
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm)
  • Decrease in blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain (stomach ache)
  • Rash
  • Fever (high temperature)
  • Increased liver enzymes (from blood tests)

  • Local problems (e.g. abnormal redness of the skin, inflammation, pain, itching, or rash)

    when putting a substance into a vein (infusion site reactions)

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

  • Inflammation of the large intestine due to C. difficile bacteria
  • Inflammation of the stomach
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Excessive gas in stomach or bowel
  • Obstruction of the intestine
  • Yeast infection in the mouth (thrush)
  • Yeast infection of female genitalia
  • Fungal urinary tract infection
  • Increase in sugar (glucose) levels (from blood tests)
  • Decrease in magnesium levels (from blood tests)
  • Decrease in phosphate levels (from blood tests)
  • Ischemic stroke (stroke caused by reduced blood flow in brain)
  • Venous thrombosis (blood clot in a vein)
  • Low red blood cell counts
  • Atrial fibrillation (a condition involving rapid, irregular heartbeat)
  • Fast heart beat
  • Angina pectoris (chest pain or feeling of tightness, pressure or heaviness in chest)
  • Itchy rash or swelling on the skin (hives)
  • Kidney problems
  • Kidney disease
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coombs test positive (a blood test that looks for antibodies that may fight against your red blood cells)

Patients treated for nosocomial pneumonia

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Increase in liver enzymes (from blood tests)

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

  • Coombs test positive (a blood test that looks for antibodies that may fight against your red blood cells)

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking ZERBAXA®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

Symptom / effectTalk to your healthcare professionalStop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severeIn all cases
COMMON
Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): abdominal pain or tenderness, fever, severe diarrhea (bloody or watery)✓
Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding that occurs inside the skull): changes in vision, decreased alertness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, nausea, seizures with no previous history of seizures, sudden severe headache, tingling or numbness, vomiting, weakness in an arm or leg✓
RARE
Allergic Reaction: rash, hives (skin eruptions), swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing✓

Liver Disorder: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale

stools

✓
UNKNOWN

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR): severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs:

  • Skin peeling, scaling, or blistering

    (with or without pus) which may also affect your eyes, mouth, nose or genitals, itching, severe rash, bumps under the skin, skin pain, skin color changes (redness, yellowing, purplish)

  • Swelling and redness of eyes or face

  • Flu-like feeling, fever, chills, body

    aches, swollen glands, cough

  • Shortness of breath, chest pain or

    discomfort

✓

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

  • Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhpmps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
  • Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Unopened vials: Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about ZERBAXA®:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website or Merck Canada website www.merck.ca or by calling Merck Canada at 1-800-567-2594.

To report an adverse event related to ZERBAXA®, please contact 1-800-567-2594.

Last Revised: October 7, 2020

® Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Used under license.

© 2017,2020 Merck Canada Inc. All rights reserved.

About this document

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · DIN (Drug Identification Number): 02446901

Revision date stated in the text: October 7, 2020

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Zerbaxa

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
DIN 02446901
Schedule(s) PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s) Ceftolozane (ceftolozane sulfate) 1 G, Tazobactam (tazobactam sodium) 0.5 G
Dosage form(s) Powder For Solution
Route(s) of administration Intravenous
Drug class (WHO ATC)
  1. J Antiinfectives for systemic use
    1. J01 Antibacterials for systemic use
      1. J01D Other beta-lactam antibacterials
        1. J01DI Other cephalosporins and penems
          1. J01DI54 Ceftolozane and beta-lactamase inhibitor
Company MERCK CANADA INC
Current status Marketed
Current status date January 12, 2016

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs, data as of November 1, 2026. Data from the Health Canada Drug Product Database, as published there. Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.