Off-label use of oritavancin: a case series on clinical effectiveness, bed-day savings and cost benefits

Patients requiring prolonged intravenous (IV) antibiotics often face extended hospital stays for daily administration, placing significant demands on healthcare resources. Oritavancin, a long-acting lipoglycopeptide licensed for gram-positive acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, offers potential savings in bed-days and overall costs and potential value for patients with adherence challenges such as people who inject drugs (PWID). However, data regarding off-label use are limited. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness, hospital bed-day savings and cost-effectiveness of off-label oritavancin use in patients with complex gram-positive infections.

This retrospective case series reviewed patients treated with off-label oritavancin from 2022 to 2024. Data collected included infection types, dosing regimes, duration of prior inpatient therapy and clinical outcomes. Clinical cure was defined as resolution of infection without recurrence within 30 days of the final dose of oritavancin. Bed-days saved and cost savings were calculated.

Twenty-five patients received off-label oritavancin. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prominent organism. PWID represented 40% of the cohort. A single-dose regimen was effective in 52% of cases. Clinical cure was achieved in 91% of patients followed-up. A 4% mortality rate was observed within 30 days. The total estimated bed-days saved was 393, equating to a saving of approximately £136 000. The total drug expense for this cohort was approximately £76 500. This represents a significant cost saving.

Oritavancin demonstrates significant clinical effectiveness and net cost savings in the off-label treatment of complex gram-positive infections. However, limited follow-up restricts assessment of long-term outcomes.