Omadacycline: A Novel Tetracycline Derivative With Oral and Intravenous Formulations

Omadacycline, an aminomethylcycline, is a novel member of the tetracycline class of antibiotics. It has received approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, and is available in both oral and intravenous formulations. It is also being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of cystitis and pyelonephritis. The omadacycline molecule was designed to overcome tetracycline resistance and has broad-spectrum activity that includes gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, anaerobes, atypicals, and other drug-resistant strains, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Yersinia pestis and Bacillus anthracis, organisms of biodefense interest. Omadacycline has minimal drug-drug pharmacokinetic interactions and a favorable safety profile, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal symptoms.