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Overview: Zemdri is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic that is used to treat kidney or bladder infections caused by certain bacteria. Common side effects include diarrhea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Serious side effects may include kidney damage, hearing loss, and a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Call your health care provider right away if you have hearing loss, dizziness, or a reduced need to pee, feel off-balance, hear a ringing or roaring sound, or get watery or bloody diarrhea even up to two months after stopping this medicine.

Uses

What is Zemdri used for?

Zemdri (plazomicin) is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat kidney or bladder infections caused by certain bacteria.

Zemdri may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Zemdri may not be appropriate for some kidney or bladder infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria may have developed resistance to Zemdri, which will make it not work as well.

How does Zemdri work (mechanism of action)?

Zemdri kills certain types of bacteria by preventing them from making proteins.

How is Zemdri supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Zemdri

Dosage forms and strengths

Zemdri is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Zemdri?

Zemdri is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will be storing Zemdri at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Zemdri?

The most common side effects of Zemdri are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Kidney damage (see below)
  • Diarrhea (see below)
  • Changes in blood pressure (high or low)
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting

There may be other side effects of Zemdri that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Zemdri?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Zemdri are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Zemdri may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Zemdri and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Zemdri. The risk of kidney damage is higher in older adults and in people with existing kidney problems. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while you are using Zemdri. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Hearing Loss. Zemdri may be associated with hearing loss, which is also called ototoxicity. The risk of hearing loss is higher if Zemdri is used for longer periods of time or at higher doses. The risk is also higher in people with kidney problems. You may be at a higher risk of hearing loss if your mother has a history of hearing loss with Zemdri or any similar medicines. Hearing loss may be permanent. Tell your health care provider right away if you have hearing loss or dizziness, feel off-balance, or hear a ringing or roaring sound.

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Zemdri. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even two months or more after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Zemdri?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Zemdri.

  • Plazomicin
  • Zemdri
  • Any other medicine known as an aminoglycoside
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Zemdri.

What should I know about Zemdri before using it?

Zemdri is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Do not use Zemdri unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Zemdri with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Drink plenty of water while using Zemdri. Staying well hydrated may reduce your risk of kidney damage. See the Side Effects section for more details. 

Zemdri only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using Zemdri or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Zemdri?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Zemdri is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Zemdri may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Zemdri, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Family History. Certain genetic factors can increase your chance of developing hearing loss with Zemdri. For example, if your mother had hearing problems from Zemdri, or a similar medicine, you may be at a higher risk for this side effect. Tell your health care provider about any family history of side effects to this type of antibiotic that you know about.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Family history of hearing problems
  • Muscle or nerve problems, such as myasthenia gravis

Pregnancy. Zemdri may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Zemdri while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Zemdri passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Zemdri while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Zemdri?

For more information about Zemdri, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at zemdri.com or call them at 844-247-5287.

Interactions

Does Zemdri interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Zemdri and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Zemdri, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does Zemdri interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Zemdri.

  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin, gentamicin, or neomycin, which is a medicine to treat infections

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Zemdri. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Zemdri?

If you or someone else has used too much Zemdri, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Zemdri?

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Zemdri, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk of future infections being resistant to Zemdri or other similar medicines.

Zemdri is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Zemdri as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your Zemdri dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.