Telavancin 750mg powder for solution for infusion vials
Telavancin is a semi-synthetic derivative of vanocymycin that has bactericidal activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive bacteria.
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Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing all 22 studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 8 · 2016–2026
Showing all 22 studies, sorted by most relevant.
Liu Q, He D, Wang L, et al.
2024
BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is a first-line drug for the treatment of MRSA infection. However, overuse of vancomycin can cause bacteria to become resistant, forming resistant strains and making infections more difficult to treat. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different antibiotics in the treatment of MRSA infections and to compare them, mainly with vancomycin, to find better vancomycin alternatives. METHODS: All studies were obtained from the PubMed and Embase databases from inception to 13 April 2023. The three comprehensive indicators of clinical cure success rate, clinical microbiological success rate, and adverse reactions were evaluated, and the clinical cure success rates of three disease types, complex skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs), complex skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), and pneumonia, were analyzed in subgroups. All statistical analyses were performed using R and STATA 14.0 software for network meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 trials with 6281 patients were included, and 13 drug treatments were evaluated. For MRSA infections, the results of network meta-analysis showed that the clinical success rates of linezolid, the combination of vancomycin and rifampin, and the combination of minocycline and rifampin were better than that of vancomycin (RR 1.71; 95%-CI 1.45-2.02), (RR 2.46; 95%-CI 1.10-5.49) (RR, 2.77; 95%-CI 1.06-7.21). The success rate of clinical microbiological treatment with vancomycin was inferior to that with telavancin (RR 0.74; 95%-CI 0.55-0.99). Linezolid had a higher rate of adverse reactions than teicoplanin (RR 5.35; 95%-CI 1.10-25.98). Subgroup analysis showed that vancomycin had a lower clinical success rate than linezolid in the treatment of MRSA-induced cSSSIs, cSSTIs, and pneumonia (RR 0.59; 95%-CI 0.44-0.80) (RR 0.55; 95%-CI 0.35-0.89) (RR 0.55; 95%-CI 0.32-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and NMA provide a new comparison framework for the clinical treatment of MRSA infection. The NMA suggests that linezolid may be the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of MRSA infections, with the ability to improve clinical and microbiological success rates despite its disadvantage in terms of adverse effects. At the same time, the combination of minocycline and rifampicin may be the most effective drug to treat MRSA-induced cSSSIs, tedizolid may be the best drug to treat MRSA-induced cSSTIs, and the combination of vancomycin and rifampicin may be the most effective treatment for MRSA-induced pneumonia. More high-quality studies are still needed in the future to further identify alternatives to vancomycin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42023416788.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Wen-qiang Kong, Yun-feng Shu , Juan Tang, et al.
BMC Infectious Diseases, 2025
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Tetracyclines
- Skin Diseases, Bacterial
BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the efficacy and safety of omadacycline with other treatments for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Therefore, updated meta-analyses on this topic is necessary. METHODS: We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare omadacycline with other anti-MRSA antibiotics. A systematic search of seven databases was undertaken to identify eligible RCTs enrolling adults with ABSSSI. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies and three reviewers independently extracted data from all manuscripts. All meta-analyses were performed using R software. RESULTS: Our NMA included 39 RCTs with a total of 20,862 patients with ABSSSI. Eighteen anti-MRSA antibiotics were analyzed in the NMA. In terms of early clinical response, omadacycline was comparable to oxazolidinones like linezolid, tedizolid, and contezolid. Across various populations, including the intention-to-treat (ITT), modified ITT, and clinically evaluable populations, omadacycline showed higher or comparable clinical success rates, although these results were of borderline statistical significance. The results showed that omadacycline ranked first in efficacy among 18 antibiotics, based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. Additionally, omadacycline had significantly fewer serious adverse events than telavancin and demonstrated a safety profile comparable to other antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that omadacycline is a promising treatment option for ABSSSI, demonstrating efficacy that is comparable to or potentially superior to many other anti-MRSA agents, along with a favorable safety profile. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the study's inherent limitations.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Ahmed Azzam, Heba Khaled, Ahmed Salem, et al.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 2026
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Staphylococcal Infections
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Africa. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the proportion of MRSA among S. aureus isolates from patients with confirmed infections and to assess associated antibiotic resistance profiles across the continent. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in African Journals Online, African Index Medicus, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies published between January 1, 2013, and June 5, 2024. Primary studies were included if they reported MRSA proportion or resistance profiles in Africa, employed reliable detection techniques, and analyzed clinical specimens from infected patients. Statistical analyses were performed using the meta package in R software, applying a random-effects model. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 191 studies, encompassing 40,979 S. aureus isolates. Nigeria contributed the highest number of studies (n = 29), followed by Egypt (n = 26). The vast majority of studies (n = 186) were based on hospital settings. The pooled proportion of MRSA in Africa was 42.2% (95% CI 38.7-45.6). By detection method, proportion was 41.4% for mecA, 42.8% for the cefoxitin disc method, and 39.1% for the oxacillin disc method, with no significant differences observed (p = 0.8). Regionally, Northern Africa had a significantly higher proportion of 56.2% (95% CI 49.3-62.9) compared with 36.7% (95% CI 33.2-40.4) in Sub-Saharan Africa (p < 0.001). At the country level, Eritrea reported the highest proportion (71.8%), followed by Egypt (61.8%), while the lowest rates were observed in Malawi (7.0%) and Gabon (8.2%). Regarding MRSA resistance profiles, linezolid (3.4%) and vancomycin (4.7%) showed the lowest resistance rates, whereas higher rates were noted for fusidic acid (11.6%), rifampin (28.4%), clindamycin (40.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (54.5%), and tetracycline (60.2%). Limited data were available for telavancin, dalbavancin, oritavancin, tedizolid, ceftaroline, mupirocin, and daptomycin. CONCLUSION: The proportion of MRSA in Africa remains high at 42.2%, with marked regional disparities. Although resistance rates for linezolid and vancomycin are relatively low, they surpass global averages, raising concerns about emerging resistance. Alarmingly high resistance rates to several other antibiotics further underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and continuous surveillance.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Purja S, Elghanam Y, Kim E
2026
PURPOSE: Vancomycin is the standard therapy for suspected or confirmed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). Although newer anti-MRSA agents claim improved efficacy and safety, evidence in microbiologically confirmed MRSA-SSTI remains limited and heterogenous. Thus, this study aimed to systematically compare the efficacy and safety of alternative agents versus vancomycin in adults with confirmed MRSA-SSTI. METHODS: Three databases were searched until August 05, 2025, to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from published meta-analyses evaluating vancomycin versus alternatives involving patients with MRSA-confirmed SSTI. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects model. The study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251119756). RESULTS: From 28 meta-analyses, 39 RCTs (n = 20,285; 2,662 patients with MRSA-confirmed SSTI receiving alternative agents and 2,322 receiving vancomycin) were included. No significant difference in clinical success was observed between groups (RR: 1.012, 95% CI: 0.992-1.032; prediction interval: 0.994-1.030). Although alternatives showed modestly higher microbiological success (RR: 1.058, 95% CI 1.001-1.119; prediction interval: 0.895-1.250), the effect lost significance after publication bias adjustment. Alternative agents had significantly lower dermatologic but higher gastrointestinal and hematological risk. Tigecycline had higher adverse events (RR: 1.090, 95% CI: 1.019-1.166), and telavancin had higher drug discontinuation (RR: 1.405, 95% CI: 1.105-1.786). CONCLUSION: Despite the growth of newer anti-MRSA agents, vancomycin remains clinically comparable for MRSA-confirmed SSTI, with apparent microbiological advantages of alternatives tempered by potential publication bias. Varying safety and pharmacological profiles of these agents emphasize the importance of individualized treatment selection.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
A. Heidari
2016
B. Das, C. Sarkar, D. Das, et al.
Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 2017
V. al Jalali, M. Zeitlinger
Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 2018
- Lipoglycopeptides
- Aminoglycosides
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
Telavancin was discovered by modifying the chemical structure of vancomycin and belongs to the group of lipoglycopeptides. It employs its antimicrobial potential through two distinct mechanisms of action: inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis and induction of bacterial membrane depolarization and permeabilization. In this article we review the clinically relevant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data of telavancin. For comparison, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data of the other glycopeptides are presented. Although, in contrast to the newer lipoglycopeptides, telavancin demonstrates a relatively short half-life and rapid total clearance, its apparent volume of distribution (Vd) is almost identical to that of dalbavancin. The accumulation of telavancin after repeated dosing is only marginal, whereas the pharmacokinetic values of the other glycopeptides show much greater differences after administration of multiple doses. Despite its high plasma–protein binding of 90% and relatively low Vd of approximately 11 L, telavancin shows near complete equilibration of the free fraction in plasma with soft tissue. The ratio of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to 24 h (AUC24) of unbound plasma concentrations to the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) required to inhibit growth of 90% of organisms (MIC90) of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis of telavancin are sufficiently high to achieve pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets indicative for optimal bacterial killing. Considering both the AUC24/MIC ratios of telavancin and the near complete equilibration of the free fraction in plasma with soft tissue, telavancin is an appropriate antimicrobial agent to treat soft tissue infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens. Although the penetration of telavancin into epithelial lining fluid (ELF) requires further investigations, the AUC24/MIC ratio for S. aureus indicates that bactericidal activity in the ELF could be expected.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Temi Lampejo
International journal of antimicrobial agents, 2020
- Lipoglycopeptides
- Aminoglycosides
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
B. Garcia, Jimmy Gonzalez, Saira B. Chaudhry
Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, 2021
Cafaro A, Barco S, Pigliasco F, et al.
2024
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a critical clinical tool used to optimize the safety and effectiveness of drugs by measuring their concentration in biological fluids. These fluids are primarily plasma or blood. TDM, together with real-time dosage adjustment, contributes highly to the successful management of glycopeptide antimicrobial therapies. Understanding pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties is vital for optimizing antimicrobial therapies, as the efficacy of these therapies depends on both the exposure of the patient to the drug (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters such as the in vitro estimated minimum drug concentration that inhibits bacterial growth (MIC). Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is widely recognized as the gold standard for measuring small molecules, such as antibiotics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of LC-MS/MS methods available for TDM of glycopeptide antibiotics, including vancomycin, teicoplanin, dalbavancin, oritavancin, and telavancin.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
1.5 hours
Mechanism
Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide that is active against a broad range of gram-positive bacteria.
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
3 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
12.5 mg/k
Half-life
1.5 hours
Protein binding
90%
Volume of distribution
10 mg/k
Metabolism
Elimination
80%
Clearance
10 mg/k
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 1110 interactions
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
μg/mL.
Telavancin also has poor bioavailability and must be administered over 30-120 minutes IV.
Cmax, healthy subjects, 10 mg/kg = 93.6 ± 14.2 μg/mL;
AUC (0- ∞), healthy subjects, 10 mg/kg = 747 ± 129 μg · h/mL;
AUC (0-24h), healthy subjects, 10 mg/kg = 666± 107 μg · h/mL;
Time to steady state = 3 days;
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
Promotes the activation of adenylate cyclase, leading to increased intracellular cAMP levels. Inhibits the activity of the calcium channel CACNA1H. Required for normal embryonic development of the adrenal gland and for normal hormonal responses to stress.
Plays a role in the response to anxiogenic stimuli
PMID:31488329 PMID:31708116
CHRNA3 forms heteropentameric neuronal acetylcholine receptors with CHRNB2 and CHRNB4, with CHRNA5, and CHRNB3 as accesory subunits .
PMID:20881005 PMID:8663494
CHRNA3:CHRNB4 being predominant in neurons of the autonomic ganglia, it is known as ganglionic nicotinic receptor .
PMID:31488329
CHRNA3:CHRNB4 or CHRNA3:CHRNA5:CHRNB4 play also an important role in the habenulo-interpeduncular tract, modulating the mesolimbic dopamine system and affecting reward circuits and addiction (By similarity). Hypothalamic CHRNA3:CHRNB4 nAChR activation by nicotine leads to activation of POMC neurons and a decrease in food intake (By similarity).
Also expressed in the urothelium where it modulates reflex bladder activity by increasing intracellular calcium through extracellular influx and basal ATP release (By similarity)
PMID:18723036
CHRNA2 forms heteropentameric neuronal acetylcholine receptors with CHRNB2 and CHRNB4 and plays a role in nicotine dependence PMID:24467848 PMID:27493220
ATC J01XA03
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Telavancin
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
20509
ChemSpider
2338980
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2357
GeneCards
CRHR1
Guide to Pharmacology
212
UniProt Accession
CRFR1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1957
GeneCards
CHRNA3
GenBank Gene Database
M86383
GenBank Protein Database
177898
Guide to Pharmacology
464
UniProt Accession
ACHA3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1956
GenAtlas
CHRNA2
GeneCards
CHRNA2
GenBank Gene Database
U62431
GenBank Protein Database
1458110
Guide to Pharmacology
463
UniProt Accession
ACHA2_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
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Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
ATC classifications (Wikidata)
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q7695658), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication. WHO INN from the World Health Organization.