Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Zevtera 500 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Zevtera 500 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each vial contains 500 mg of ceftobiprole (as 666.6 mg of ceftobiprole medocaril sodium). After reconstitution, each mL of concentrate contains 50 mg of ceftobiprole (as 66.7 mg of ceftobiprole medocaril sodium).
Excipient(s) with known effect:
Each vial contains approximately 0.95 mmol (22 mg) sodium.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Powder for concentrate for solution for infusion.
White, yellowish to slightly brownish, cake to broken cake or powder.
The pH of the reconstituted solution is between 4.5 and 5.5.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Zevtera is indicated for the treatment of the following infections in adults, term neonates, infants, children and adolescents (see sections 4.4 and 5.1):
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology
The recommended regimen for adult and paediatric patients with normal renal function is shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Dosage in adult and paediatric patients with normal renal function or mild renal impairment (i.e., creatinine clearance [CLCR] ≥ 50 mL/min)
| Age group | Body weight (kg) | Ceftobiprole dose | Concentration of infusion solutiona | Infusion time/ Frequency |
| Adults | - | 500 mg | 2 mg/mL | 2 h infusion / every 8 hours |
Adolescents aged 12 to < 18 years | ≥ 50 kg | 500 mg | ||
| < 50 kg | 10 mg/kg | |||
| Infants aged ≥ 3 months and children < 12 years | ≥ 33 kg | 500 mg | 4 mg/mL | 2 h infusion / every 8 hours |
| < 33 kg | 15 mg/kg | |||
| Term neonates and infants < 3 months | ≥ 4 kg | 15 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours | |
| < 4 kg | 10 mg/kg |
a See section 6.6.
For CAP, a switch to an appropriate oral antibiotic may be considered after completion of at least 3 days of intravenous ceftobiprole treatment, depending on the patient’s clinical response.
Paediatric population
No data are available for use of ceftobiprole in preterm neonates.
Special populations
Elderly patients
No dose adjustment is necessary in elderly patients, except in cases of moderate to severe renal impairment (see below and section 5.2).
Renal impairment
In adult and paediatric patients with mild renal impairment (i.e., CLCR 50 to 80 mL/min), no dosage adjustment is necessary.
In adult and paediatric patients with moderate renal impairment (CLCR 30 to < 50 mL/min), adult and paediatric patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR 10 mL/min to < 30 mL/min), and adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis, the dosage of ceftobiprole should be adjusted as shown in Table 2. There is insufficient information to recommend dosage adjustments in paediatrics with ESRD.
Table 2 Dosage in adult and paediatric patients with moderate renal impairment
(CLCR 30 to <50 mL/min), severe renal impairment (CLCR <30 mL/min), or patients with ESRD requiring dialysis
| Age group | Creatinine clearance, CLCR (mL/min)a | Ceftobipr ole dose | Concentratio n of infusion solutiond | Infusion time (hours)/ Frequency |
| Adults | 30 to < 50 | 500 mg | 2 mg/mL | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours |
| 10 to < 30 | 250 mg |
| ESRD, including haemodialysisb | 250 mg | 2 h infusion / every 24 hours | ||
Adolescents Aged 12 to < 18 years | 30 to < 50 | 7.5 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours | |
| 10 to < 30 | 7.5 mg/kgc | |||
| Children aged 6 to < 12 years | 30 to < 50 | 7.5 mg/kg | 4 mg/mL | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours |
| 10 to < 30 | 7.5 mg/kgc | 2 h infusion / every 24 hours | ||
| Infants aged ≥ 3 months and children < 6 years | 30 to < 50 | 10 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours | |
| 10 to < 30 | 10 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 24 hours | ||
| Term neonates and infants < 3 months, bodyweight ≥ 4 kg | 30 to < 50 | 15 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours | |
| 10 to < 30 | 15 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 24 hours | ||
| Term neonates and infants < 3 months, bodyweight < 4 kg | 30 to < 50 | 10 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 12 hours | |
| 10 to < 30 | 10 mg/kg | 2 h infusion / every 24 hours |
Note: All regimen administered as a 2 h infusion with a maximum allowable dose of 500 mg regardless of patient’s weight unless otherwise specified.
a Calculated in mL/min/1.73 m2 using the Schwartz formula for paediatric patients. CLCR should be closely monitored and the dose adjusted according to changing renal function.
b Ceftobiprole medocaril sodium is haemodialysable; thus ceftobiprole should be administered after haemodialysis on haemodialysis days.
c Up to a maximum dose of 250 mg.
d See section 6.6.
Dose recommendations for paediatric patients are based on pharmacokinetic modelling.
Due to limited clinical data and an expected increased exposure of ceftobiprole and its metabolite, ceftobiprole should be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (see section 5.2).
Patients with creatinine clearance > 150 mL/min
At start of treatment the prescribing physician should assess the renal function of the patient based on creatinine clearance expressed in mL/minute.
In patients with a supra-normal creatinine clearance (> 150 mL/min), based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations, prolongation of the infusion duration to 4 hours is recommended (see section 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
There is limited experience in patients with hepatic impairment. As ceftobiprole undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism and is eliminated predominantly by the kidneys, no dosage adjustment is considered necessary in patients with hepatic impairment.
Method of administration
Zevtera must be reconstituted and then further diluted (see section 6.6) prior to administration by intravenous infusion over a period of 2 hours. For instructions on reconstitution and dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.
For adult and paediatric patients aged ≥
12 years, ceftobiprole concentration of the infusion solution is 2 mg/mL. To limit the infusion volume in paediatric patients < 12 years of age, ceftobiprole concentration of the infusion solution for these patients is 4 mg/mL.
Precipitation can occur when Zevtera is mixed with calcium-containing solutions in the same intravenous administration line. Therefore, Zevtera and calcium-containing solutions, except Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection, must not be mixed or administered simultaneously in the same intravenous line (see sections 4.4, 6.2).
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Hypersensitivity to the cephalosporin class of antibacterials.
Immediate and severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reaction) to any other type of beta-lactam antibacterial agent (e.g. penicillins or carbapenems).
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Hypersensitivity reactions
As with all beta-lactam antibacterial agents, serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported. In case of severe hypersensitivity reactions, treatment with ceftobiprole must be discontinued immediately and adequate emergency measures must be initiated.
Before beginning treatment, it should be established whether the patient has a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to ceftobiprole, to other cephalosporins or to any other type of beta-lactam agent. Caution should be used if ceftobiprole is given to patients with a history of non-severe hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam agents.
Dosing above the recommended dose range
There is no clinical experience with ceftobiprole doses higher than the recommended 500 mg administered every eight hours.
Patients with pre-existing seizure disorders
Seizures have been associated with the use of ceftobiprole. Seizures occurred most commonly in patients with pre-existing CNS/seizure disorders during treatment with ceftobiprole. Therefore, caution is advised when treating these patients.
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea
Antibacterial agent-associated colitis and pseudomembranous colitis have been reported with the use of ceftobiprole and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with diarrhea during or subsequent to the administration of ceftobiprole (see section 4.8). Discontinuation of therapy with ceftobiprole and the administration of specific treatment for Clostridioides difficile should be considered. Medicinal products that inhibit peristalsis should not be given.
Superinfection with non-susceptible organisms
The use of ceftobiprole may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi.
Appropriate measures should be taken if evidence of superinfection occurs during therapy.
Renal toxicity
In animals, reversible renal toxicity was observed at high doses of ceftobiprole and was associated with precipitation of drug-like material in the distal tubules (see section 5.3). Although the clinical significance of this observation is unknown, it is advisable to correct hypovolaemia to maintain normal urinary output in patients receiving ceftobiprole.
Precipitation with calcium-containing solutions
Precipitation can occur when Zevtera is mixed with calcium-containing solutions in the same intravenous administration line. Therefore, Zevtera and calcium-containing solutions, except Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection, must not be mixed or administered simultaneously in the same intravenous line (see section 6.2).
Limitations of clinical data
Standard indications
There is limited experience with ceftobiprole in the treatment of HAP (excluding VAP) and CAP in HIV-positive patients, patients with neutropenia, immunocompromised patients, and patients with myelosuppression. Caution is advised when treating such patients.
Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
Ceftobiprole has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with VAP. Ceftobiprole should not be initiated in patients with VAP (see section 5.1). In addition, on the basis of a post-hoc analysis showing a trend in favour of ceftobiprole, it is recommended that in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) who subsequently require ventilation, ceftobiprole should be used with caution.
Interference with serological testing
Direct antiglobulin test (Coombs test) seroconversion and potential risk of haemolytic anaemia
The development of a positive direct antiglobulin test may occur during treatment with a cephalosporin. In clinical studies there was no evidence of haemolytic anaemia. However, the possibility that haemolytic anaemia may occur in association with ceftobiprole treatment cannot be ruled out. Patients experiencing anaemia during or after treatment with ceftobiprole should be investigated for this possibility.
Potential interference with serum creatinine test
It is not known whether ceftobiprole, like some other cephalosprins, interferes with the alkaline picrate assay to measure serum creatinine (Jaffé reaction), which may lead to erroneously high creatinine measurements. During treatment with ceftobiprole it is recommended that an enzymatic method of measuring serum creatinine be used.
Potential interference with urine glucose test
During treatment with ceftobiprole it is recommended that an enzymatic method to detect glucosuria be used, because of potential interference with tests using the copper reduction technique.
Sodium content
This medicinal product contains approximately 0.95 mmol (22 mg) sodium per vial, equivalent to 1.1 % of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
In vitro studies have been carried out to investigate potential interactions at the level of CYP enzymes. However, as the concentrations of ceftobiprole used in these studies were limited by solubility, the potential for CYP drug interactions cannot be ruled out.
In vitro studies showed that ceftobiprole inhibits OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 with IC50s of 67.6 µM and 44.1 µM, respectively. ceftobiprole may increase concentrations of drugs eliminated by OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, such as statins (pitavastin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin), glyburide, and bosentan.
No clinical interaction studies have been performed. Caution is advised when ceftobiprole is administered together with drugs with narrow therapeutic index.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ceftobiprole in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development (see section 5.3).
As no data in exposed human pregnancies are available, ceftobiprole should not be used during pregnancy unless strictly necessary.
Breastfeeding
Animal studies have shown the excretion of ceftobiprole/metabolites in milk at low concentrations. It is unknown whether ceftobiprole is excreted in human milk and the risk of diarrhea and fungal infection of the mucous membranes in the breast-fed infant cannot be excluded. The possibility of sensitisation should be taken into account. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from ceftobiprole therapy, taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
The effects of ceftobiprole medocaril on fertility in humans have not been studied. Animal studies with ceftobiprole medocaril do not indicate harmful effects with respect to fertility.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Ceftobiprole could have an influence on the ability to drive and use machines based on dizziness as a common undesirable effect.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
In therapeutic clinical studies in adults, 1,668 subjects received ceftobiprole. Within these trials there were a total of 1,239 subjects (696 subjects in community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia, and 543 subjects in complicated skin and soft tissue infections, cSSTIs) who received 500 mg three times daily, 389 subjects (cSSTIs) who received 500 mg twice daily and 40 subjects (cSSTIs) who received 750 mg twice daily.
The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥
3% of patients treated with ceftobiprole were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infusion site reactions, hypersensitivity (including urticaria, pruritic rash and drug hypersensitivity) and dysgeusia.
Less frequently reported, but more serious, adverse reactions include thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, anaphylaxis, Clostridioides difficile, colitis, convulsion, agitation (including anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares), and renal failure.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The following adverse reactions were reported during therapy and during follow-up with frequencies corresponding to very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Table 3 Adverse reactions from clinical studies and post-marketing reports
| System Organ Class | Frequency: adverse events |
| Infections and infestations | Common: Fungal infection (including vulvovaginal, oral and |
| cutaneous fungal infections) | |
| Uncommon: Clostridioides difficile colitis (including | |
| pseudomembranous colitis) | |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Uncommon: Eosinophilia, leukopenia, anaemia, thrombocytosis, |
| thrombocytopenia | |
| Not known: Agranulocytosis | |
| Immune system disorders | Common: Hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, pruritic |
| rash and drug hypersensitivity) | |
| Uncommon: Anaphylactic reactions | |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Common: Hyponatraemia |
| Uncommon: Hypokalaemia | |
| Psychiatric disorders | Uncommon: Insomnia, agitation (including anxiety, panic attacks |
| and nightmares) | |
| Nervous system disorders | Common: Dysgeusia, headache, dizziness, somnolence |
| Uncommon: Convulsions (including seizure, epilepsy, generalized | |
| tonic-clonic seizure, myoclonic epilepsy, myoclonus, seizure like | |
| phenomena and status epilepticus) | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Uncommon: Dyspnoea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, asthma |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Common: Nausea, vomiting , diarrhoea, abdominal pain, |
| dyspepsia |
| System Organ Class | Frequency: adverse events |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Common: Hepatic enzymes increased (including AST, ALT, LDH |
| and alkaline phosphatase) | |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Common: Rash (including macular, papular, maculo-papular and |
| generalised rash), pruritus | |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Uncommon: Muscle spasms |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Uncommon: Renal failure (including potential interactions with |
| nephrotoxic drugs) | |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Common: Infusion site reactions |
| Uncommon: Peripheral oedema | |
| Investigations | Uncommon: Blood triglycerides increased, blood creatinine |
| increased, blood glucose increased | |
| Not known: Coombs Direct Test Positive |
Paediatric population
In one therapeutic clinical study in paediatric patients with community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia, 94 subjects aged 3 months to 17 years received ceftobiprole. In two other clinical studies, 64 subjects aged 3 months to 17 years and 15 subjects aged 0 (birth) to < 3 months received a single dose of ceftobiprole. Overall, the safety profile in paediatric patients was similar to that observed in the adult population.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.
4.9 Overdose
Information on overdosage with ceftobiprole in humans is not available. The highest total daily dose administered in Phase 1 trials was 3 g (1 g every 8 hours). If overdosage should occur, it should be treated symptomatically. Ceftobiprole plasma concentrations can be reduced by haemodialysis.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other cephalosporins, ATC code: J01DI01
Mechanism of action
Ceftobiprole exerts bactericidal activity through binding to important penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in susceptible species. In Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Ceftobiprole binds to PBP2a. Ceftobiprole has demonstrated in vitro activity against strains with divergent mecA homolog (mecC or mecALGA251). Ceftobiprole also binds to PBP2b in Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-intermediate), PBP2x in S. pneumoniae (penicillin resistant), and to PBP5 in Enterococcus faecalis.
Resistance
Ceftobiprole is inactive against strains of Enterobacteriaceae that express Ambler class A β
-lactamases, especially TEM, SHV and CTX-M type extended-spectrum β
-lactamases (ESBL) and the KPC-type carbapenemases, Ambler class B β
-lactamases and Ambler class D β
-lactamases, especially ESBL variants and carbapenemases (OXA-48). Ceftobiprole is also inactive against strains that have high levels of expression of Ambler class C β
-lactamases.
Ceftobiprole is inactive against strains of P. aeruginosa that express enzymes belonging to Ambler class A (e.g., PSE-1), Ambler class B (e.g., IMP-1, VIM-1, VIM-2) and Ambler class D (e.g., OXA-10). It is also inactive against isolates that have acquired mutations in regulatory genes leading to de-repressed levels of expression of the chromosomal Ambler class C β
-lactamase, or
over-expression of the Mex XY efflux pump.
Ceftobiprole is inactive against strains of Acinetobacter spp. that express enzymes belonging to Ambler class A (e.g., VEB-1), Ambler class B (e.g., IMP-1, IMP-4) Ambler class D (e.g., OXA-25, OXA-26), or that have de-repressed levels of expression of the chromosomal Ambler class C β
-lactamase.
Susceptibility testing breakpoints
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) interpretive criteria for susceptibility testing have been established by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) for ceftobiprole and are listed here: https://www.ema.europa.eu/documents/other/minimum-inhibitory-concentration-mic-breakpoints_en.xlsx.
PK/PD relationship
As with other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, the percent time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the infecting organism over the dosing interval (%fT > MIC) has been shown to be the parameter that best correlates with the efficacy of ceftobiprole.
Clinical efficacy against specific pathogens
Efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical studies against the following pathogens in patients with HAP (not including VAP) and CAP that were susceptible to ceftobiprole in vitro:
Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA)
Streptococcus pneumoniae (including MDRSP)
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Antibacterial activity against other relevant pathogens
Clinical efficacy has not been established against the following pathogens, although in vitro studies suggest that they would often be susceptible to ceftobiprole in the absence of an acquired mechanism of resistance:
Acinetobacter spp.
Citrobacter spp.
Enterobacter spp.
Haemophilus influenzae
Klebsiella oxytoca
Moraxella catarrhalis
Morganella morganii
Proteus mirabilis
Providencia spp.
Pseudomonas spp.
Serratia spp.
In vitro data indicate that the following species are not susceptible to ceftobiprole:
Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae
Burkholderia cepacia complex
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Mycobacteria
Nocardia spp.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Data from clinical studies
Nosocomial pneumonia
Ceftobiprole demonstrated efficacy in a well-controlled randomised Phase 3 study in patients with HAP. Non-inferiority between ceftobiprole and the comparator group could not be demonstrated in patients with VAP (i.e., patients who develop pneumonia > 48 hours after onset of ventilation). In VAP, clinical cure rates in ceftobiprole treated patients were 37.7% in the ceftobiprole group (20 out of 53 patients) compared to 55.9% in the ceftazidime plus linezolid group (33 out of 59 patients), see also sections 4.1 and 4.4.
Paediatric population
The safety and effectiveness of ceftobiprole in the treatment of CAP has been established in paediatric patients 3 months to less than 18 years. Use of ceftobiprole in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled study of ceftobiprole in adults, with additional pharmacokinetic, safety and efficacy data from paediatric trials.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Plasma concentrations
The mean pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftobiprole in healthy adults for a single 500 mg dose administered as a 2-hour infusion and multiple 500 mg doses administered every 8 hours as 2-hour infusions (see section 4.2) are summarised in Table 4. Pharmacokinetic characteristics were similar with single and multiple dose administration.
Table 4 Mean (standard deviation) pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftobiprole in healthy adults
| Parameter | Single 500 mg dose administered as a 120-minute infusion | Multiple 500 mg doses administered every 8 hours as 120 minute infusions |
| Cmax (μg/mL) | 29.2 (5.52) | 33.0 (4.83) |
| AUC a (μg• h/mL) | 90.0 (12.4) | 102 (11.9) |
| t 1/2 (hours) | 3.1 (0.3) | 3.3 (0.3) |
| CL (L/h) | 4.89 (0.69) | 4.98 (0.58) |
a AUC is given as AUClast and AUC0-8h for single dose and multiple dose, respectively.
Rich and/or sparse plasma samples were collected in all Phase 3 studies. Based on the rich plasma concentration-time profiles in patients with HAP and CAP, the PK properties of ceftobiprole in these populations was similar to that observed in healthy subjects.
PK/PD studies in the neutropenic mouse thigh infection model indicated that unbound, %fT>MIC was the PK/PD index and a target of approximately 30% and 60% would provide efficacious dosing for ceftobiprole for treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, respectively. Population PK analysis and PK/PD target attainment analysis were used to support the dosing regimen for ceftobiprole in adult and paediatric subjects.
Distribution
Ceftobiprole binds minimally (16%) to plasma proteins and binding is independent of concentration. Ceftobiprole steady-state volume of distribution (18 litres) approximates extracellular fluid volume in healthy adults.
Biodistribution
The active substance of Zevtera is ceftobiprole medocaril sodium, which is the prodrug of the active moiety ceftobiprole. Conversion from the prodrug ceftobiprole medocaril sodium, to the active moiety ceftobiprole, occurs rapidly and is mediated by non-specific plasma esterases. Prodrug concentrations are negligible and are measurable in plasma and urine only during infusion. The metabolite resulting from the cleavage of the prodrug is diacetyl which is an endogenous human compound.
Ceftobiprole undergoes minimal metabolism to the open-ring metabolite, which is microbiologically inactive. Systemic exposure of the open-ring metabolite was considerably lower than for ceftobiprole, accounting for approximately 4% of the parent exposure in subject with a normal renal function.
In vitro studies demonstrated that ceftobiprole is an inhibitor of the hepatocyte uptake transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, but is not an inhibitor of PgP, BCRP, MDR1, MRP2, OAT1, OAT3, OCT1 or OCT2. Ceftobiprole is potentially a weak substrate of the renal tubule cells uptake transporters OAT1 and OCT2.
Ceftobiprole protein binding is low (16%) and is not a PgP inhibitor or substrate. The potential for other drugs to interact with ceftobiprole is minimal, since only a small fraction of ceftobiprole is metabolised. Therefore, no relevant drug-drug interactions are anticipated (see section 4.5).
Since ceftobiprole does not undergo tubular secretion and only a fraction is reabsorbed, renal drug-drug interactions are not expected.
Elimination
Ceftobiprole is eliminated primarily unchanged by renal excretion, with a half-life of approximately 3 hours. The predominant mechanism responsible for elimination is glomerular filtration, with some active reabsorption. Following single dose administration in healthy adults, approximately 89% of the administered dose is recovered in the urine as active ceftobiprole (83%), the open-ring metabolite (5%) and ceftobiprole medocaril (<1%).
Linearity/non-linearity
Ceftobiprole exhibits linear and time-independent pharmacokinetics. The Cmax and AUC of ceftobiprole increase in proportion to dose over a range of 125 mg to 1 g. Steady-state active substance concentrations are attained on the first day of dosing; no appreciable accumulation occurs with every-8-hour dosing in subjects with normal renal function.
Special populations
Renal impairment
The estimation of creatinine clearance should be based on the Cockcroft-Gault formula using actual body weight in adult patients and the Schwartz formula in paediatric patients. During treatment with ceftobiprole it is recommended that an enzymatic method of measuring serum creatinine be used (see section 4.4).
The pharmacokinetics of ceftobiprole are similar in healthy adults and subjects with mild renal impairment (CLCR 50 to 80 mL/min). Ceftobiprole AUC was 2.5- and 3.3-fold higher in subjects with moderate (CLCR 30 to < 50 mL/min) and severe (CLCR < 30 mL/min) renal impairment, respectively, than in healthy adults with normal renal function.
Dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (see section 4.2). Dose recommendations for paediatric patients are based on pharmacokinetic modelling.
AUCs of ceftobiprole and of the microbiologically inactive ring-opened metabolite are substantially increased in adult patients with end-stage renal disease who require haemodialysis compared with healthy adults. In a study where six adult subjects with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis received a single dose of 250 mg ceftobiprole by intravenous infusion, ceftobiprole was demonstrated to be haemodialysable with an extraction ratio of 0.7 (see section 4.2).
There is insufficient information to recommend dosage adjustment in paediatric patients with CLCR < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 or end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.
Patients with creatinine clearance > 150mL/min
Ceftobiprole systemic clearance (CLSS) was 40% greater in adult subjects with a CLCR > 150 mL/min compared to subjects with a normal renal function (CLCR = 80-150 mL/min). Volume of distribution was 30% larger. In this population, based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations, prolongation of duration of infusion is recommended (see section 4.2).
Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of ceftobiprole in patients with hepatic impairment have not been established. As ceftobiprole undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism and is predominantly excreted unchanged in the urine, the clearance of ceftobiprole is not expected to be affected by hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
Elderly
Population pharmacokinetic data showed that age as an independent parameter has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of ceftobiprole. Dosage adjustment is not considered necessary in elderly patients with normal renal function (see section 4.2).
Paediatric population
Population pharmacokinetic data showed that glomerular filtration rate maturation has an effect on the pharmacokinetics of ceftobiprole in paediatric patients aged 1 year and younger. Weight-based dose adjustments are required for paediatric patients weighing less than 50 kg (see section 4.2).
The mean exposures to ceftobiprole in paediatric subjects with normal renal function based on population PK modelling are summarised in Table 5 for the proposed paediatric doses (see section 4.2) and are similar to the mean exposures observed in adults.
Table 5 Mean (standard deviation) pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftobiprole in paediatric subjects predicted from population PK modelling
| Age group | Dosing regimen | Cmax (µg/mL) | AUC0-24h (h.µg/mL) |
| Birth to <3 months | 15 mg/kg q12ha | 31.1 (7.05) | 298 (66.4) |
| 3 month to <2 years | 15 mg/kg q8h | 30.3 (5.32) | 278 (69.9) |
| 2 to <6 years | 15 mg/kg q8h | 30.8 (4.98) | 266 (55.3) |
| 6 to <12 years | 15 mg/kg q8h | 35.2 (5.94) | 312 (68.7) |
| 12 to <18 years | 10 mg/kg q8h | 26.6 (4.92) | 245 (56.9) |
| Adults | 500 mg q8h | 33.0 (4.83) | 306 (35.7) |
a - Patients with a body weight < 4 kg given 10 mg/kg q12h as a 2-h infusion.
Sex
Systemic exposure to ceftobiprole was higher in adult females than adult males (21% for Cmax and 15% for AUC), however the %T>MIC was similar in both males and females. Therefore, dosage adjustments based on gender are not considered necessary.
Race
Population pharmacokinetic analyses (including Caucasians, Black and Other groups) and a dedicated pharmacokinetic study in healthy Japanese adults showed no effect of race on the pharmacokinetics of ceftobiprole. Therefore, dosage adjustments based on race are not considered necessary.
Body weight
A study was performed in morbidly obese subjects. No dose adjustments based on body weight are required in adult populations but the dose should be adjusted by body weight in paediatric subjects weighing less than 50 kg.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Reversible renal toxicity in the distal tubules due to precipitation of drug-like material was observed at high doses only in small animals such as rats and marmosets and after bolus administration. Absence of kidney toxicity was observed in animals at urinary concentrations up to 12 times higher than those observed in humans at the therapeutic dose. Convulsions were observed after both single and multiple doses at exposures of six times the human exposure and higher, based on Cmax.
Infusion-site irritation leading to thrombus formation was observed in small animals (rats and marmosets) but not in dogs. In a pre- and post-natal development study in rats, litter size and survival up to 4 days postpartum were decreased at maternally toxic doses. The relevance of all these findings for humans is unknown.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Citric acid monohydrate
Sodium hydroxide
6.2 Incompatibilities
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.
This medicinal product must not be mixed or administered simultaneously with calcium-containing solutions (except Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection). See sections 4.2, 4.4, 6.6.
This medicinal product should not be simultaneously administered via a Y site with: Acyclovir sodium, Amikacin sulphate, Amiodarone hydrochloride, Amphotericin B (colloidal),
Calcium gluconate, Caspofungin acetate, Ciprofloxacin, Cisatracurium besylate, Diazepam, Diltiazem hydrochloride, Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, Dobutamine hydrochloride, Dopamine hydrochloride,
Esomeprazole sodium,
Famotidine, Filgrastim,
Gentamicin sulphate,
Haloperidol lactate, Hydromorphone hydrochloride, Hydroxyzine hydrochloride, Insulin human regular, Insulin lispro,
Labetalol hydrochloride, Levofloxacin, Lidocaine hydrochloride, Magnesium sulphate, Meperidine hydrochloride, Metoclopramide hydrochloride, Midazolam hydrochloride, Milrinone lactate, Morphine sulphate, Moxifloxacin hydrochloride,
Ondansetron hydrochloride,
Pantoprazole sodium, Potassium phosphates, Promethazine hydrochloride, Remifentanil hydrochloride,
Sodium phosphates,
Tobramycin sulphate.
6.3 Shelf life
Powder vial
4 years
After reconstitution
Chemical, and physical in-use stability of the reconstituted solution (50 mg/mL) has been demonstrated for 1 hour at 25°C and up to 24 hours at 2°C–8°C.
After dilution
Chemical and physical in-use stability data support the total times for reconstitution and infusion of 2 mg/mL or 4 mg/mL ceftobiprole dilution solutions and are described in the tables below:
Use in adults and adolescents ≥ 12 years (2 mg/mL ceftobiprole): Total time by which reconstitution and infusion (including the period of infusion, see section 4.2) must be completed
| Reconstitution solution diluent | Infusion solution diluent | Infusion solutions stored at 25°C Protected from light NOT protected from light | Infusion solutions stored at 2°C to 8°C Protected from light | |
Dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection or Water for injection | Sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection | 24 hours | 8 hours | 96 hours |
| Dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection | 12 hours | 8 hours | 96 hours | |
| Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection | 24 hours | 8 hours | Do not refrigerate | |
Use in children, infants, and neonates (< 12 years) (4 mg/mL ceftobiprole): Total time by which reconstitution and infusion (including the period of infusion, see section 4.2) must be completed
| Reconstitution solution diluent | Infusion solution diluent | Infusion solutions stored at 25°C NOT protected from light | Infusion solutions stored at 2°C to 8°C Protected from light |
| Dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection | Dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection | 12 hours | 24 hours |
| Water for injection | Sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection | 8 hours | 8 hours |
From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of reconstitution/dilution precludes the risk of microbiological contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user.
The reconstituted and infusion solutions should not be frozen or exposed to direct sunlight.
If the infusion solution is stored in the refrigerator, it should be equilibrated to room temperature prior to administration. The infusion solution does not need to be protected from light during administration.
The infusion solution should be prepared and used as defined in section 6.6.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store in a refrigerator (2°C–8°C). Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
For storage conditions of the reconstituted and/or diluted medicinal product, see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
20 mL clear type I glass vials fitted with a grey butyl elastomeric closure and an aluminium seal with a blue plastic flip-off cap.
Pack size: 10 vials.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Each vial is for single use only.
Zevtera must be reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.
Step 1. Reconstitution
For adult and paediatric patients ≥ 12 years who require an infusion solution with a ceftobiprole concentration of 2 mg/mL, the lyophilized powder should be reconstituted with 10 mL of sterile water for injections or dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection.
For paediatric patients < 12 years who require an infusion solution with a ceftobiprole concentration of 4 mg/mL, the lyophilized powder must be reconstituted either with 10 mL dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection if further dilution with the same diluent solution (i.e., dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection) is used, or with 10 mL of water for injection if further dilution with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection is used (see section 6.3 tables).
The vial should be shaken vigorously until complete dissolution, which in some cases may take up to 10 minutes. The volume of the resulting concentrate is approximately 10.6 mL. Any foam should be allowed to dissipate and the reconstituted solution should be inspected visually to ensure the product is in solution and particulate matter is absent. The reconstituted concentrate contains 50 mg/mL of ceftobiprole (as 66.7 mg/mL of ceftobiprole medocaril sodium) and must be further diluted prior to administration. It is recommended that the reconstituted solution be further diluted immediately. However, if this is not possible the reconstituted solution can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 hour, or in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Step 2. Dilution (infusion solution)
Use in adult and paediatric patients ≥ 12 years
Preparation of 500 mg dose of Zevtera solution for infusion (2 mg/mL ceftobiprole) 10 mL of the reconstituted solution should be withdrawn from the vial and injected into a suitable container (e.g. PVC or PE infusion bags, glass bottles) containing 250 mL of sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection, dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection, or Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection. The infusion solution should be gently inverted 5-10 times to form a homogenous solution. Vigorous agitation should be avoided to prevent foaming.
In adults, the entire contents of the infusion bag should be infused to administer a 500 mg dose of Zevtera.
In paediatric patients ≥
12 years, the volume to be administered should be calculated based on the patient body weight (see section 4.2) and must not exceed a maximum of 250 mL (500 mg dose).
Preparation of 250 mg dose of Zevtera solution for infusion for adult patients with severe renal impairment
5 mL of the reconstituted solution should be withdrawn from the vial and injected into a suitable container (e.g. PVC or PE infusion bags, glass bottles) containing 125 mL of sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection, dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection, or Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection. The infusion solution should be gently inverted 5-10 times to form a homogenous solution. Vigorous agitation should be avoided to prevent foaming. The entire contents of the infusion bag should be infused to administer a 250 mg dose of Zevtera.
Use in paediatric patients < 12 years
Preparation of Zevtera solution for infusion at a concentration of 4 mg/mL of ceftobiprole
Administration via infusion bags, bottles or syringes:
The reconstituted solution prepared with 10 mL dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection must be diluted with the same diluent solution (i.e., dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection). The reconstituted solution prepared with 10 mL water for injection solution must be diluted with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection.
10 mL should be withdrawn from an infusion container (e.g., PVC or PE infusion bags, glass bottles) containing 125 mL of diluent solution and replaced with 10 mL of the reconstituted solution withdrawn from the vial. The infusion solution should be gently inverted 5–10 times to form a homogenous solution. Vigorous agitation should be avoided to prevent foaming. The volume to be administered should be calculated based on the patient body weight (see section 4.2) and must not exceed a maximum of 125 mL (500 mg dose).
For administration via a 50 mL syringe if the calculated dose does not exceed 200 mg, 4 mL of the reconstituted solution (equivalent to 200 mg ceftobiprole) prepared with dextrose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection or water for injection should be withdrawn from the vial and diluted with 46 mL of the appropriate infusion solution diluent (see section 6.3). The infusion solution should be gently inverted 5–10 times to form a homogenous solution. Vigorous agitation should be avoided to prevent foaming. The volume to be administered should be calculated based on the patient body weight (see section 4.2) and must not exceed a maximum of 50 mL (200 mg dose).
Appearance of diluted solution
The solution for infusion should be clear to slightly opalescent and yellowish in colour. The solution for infusion should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration, and discarded if particulate matter is visible.
Detailed information on the time by which reconstitution, dilution and infusion must complete is provided in section 6.3.
Disposal
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
Dashwood House,
69 Old Broad Street,
London, EC2M 1QS, UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 12762/0655
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
20/10/2018
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
03/02/2025
