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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
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Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection
Published on: October 25, 2013
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Oritavancin: A Long-Half-Life Lipoglycopeptide
Louis D Saravolatz1, Gary E Stein1
1St John Hospital and Medical Center, Grosse Pointe Woods Michigan State University, East Lansing.
Summary
Oritavancin offers a single-dose treatment for acute bacterial skin infections, showing effectiveness against resistant bacteria. It is comparable to vancomycin with a favorable safety profile, though osteomyelitis requires monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Oritavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic.
- It exhibits multiple mechanisms of action against bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oritavancin for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs).
Main Methods:
- Two clinical trials compared oritavancin with vancomycin for ABSSSIs.
- Oritavancin administered as a single 1200 mg IV dose over 3 hours.
Main Results:
- Oritavancin demonstrated noninferiority to vancomycin in treating ABSSSIs.
- Highly active against Gram-positive pathogens, including resistant strains like MRSA and VRE.
- Long half-life (393 hours) allows for single-dose administration.
- No dose adjustments needed for renal or hepatic insufficiency.
- Adverse events were similar to vancomycin, with notable exceptions of liver enzyme elevation and osteomyelitis.
Conclusions:
- Oritavancin is an effective single-dose option for ABSSSIs, comparable to vancomycin.
- Its pharmacokinetic profile simplifies treatment, especially in outpatient settings.
- Monitoring for osteomyelitis is crucial, and alternative therapies should be considered if suspected or confirmed.
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