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Overview: Emblaveo is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic that is used for certain infections in the abdomen or stomach area caused by bacteria. Common side effects include anemia and diarrhea. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get watery or bloody diarrhea even up to two months after stopping this medicine. If you develop a rash, stop Emblaveo and call your healthcare provider right away.

Uses

What is Emblaveo used for?

Emblaveo (aztreonam/avibactam) is an antibiotic that is commonly used for certain bacterial infections in the abdomen or stomach area. 

Emblaveo may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

Emblaveo may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Emblaveo, which will make it not work as well.

How does Emblaveo work (mechanism of action)?

Emblaveo contains two different medicines, aztreonam and avibactam. Aztreonam, an antibiotic, kills certain bacteria by preventing them from being able to create their cell wall. Some bacteria can produce substances, called beta-lactamases, that reduce how well aztreonam works. Avibactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which means it blocks these substances so that aztreonam can keep working.

How is Emblaveo supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Emblaveo

Dosage forms and strengths

Emblaveo is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store Emblaveo?

Emblaveo is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Emblaveo?

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

There may be other side effects of Emblaveo that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare 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 Emblaveo?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Emblaveo may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Emblaveo 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

Severe Skin Reactions. Emblaveo can cause a severe skin reaction, called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop Emblaveo and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and joint or muscle pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Emblaveo. The risk of liver damage may be higher if you already have liver problems or take certain medicines. To monitor your liver, your healthcare provider will likely check lab work while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Emblaveo. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare 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 Emblaveo?

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

  • Emblaveo
  • Aztreonam
  • Avibactam
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific Emblaveo products they stock.

What should I know about Emblaveo before using it?

Emblaveo is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Emblaveo only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using Emblaveo 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 healthcare provider before using Emblaveo?

Tell your healthcare 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 Emblaveo is right for you.

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

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

  • An allergy to other antibiotics
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • Kidney or liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Emblaveo may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Emblaveo, tell your healthcare 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.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Emblaveo could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Emblaveo while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Emblaveo passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Emblaveo while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Emblaveo?

For more information about Emblaveo, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.emblaveo.com or call them at 800-255-5162. 

Interactions

Does Emblaveo interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Emblaveo interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout.

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Emblaveo. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Emblaveo. Always check with your healthcare 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 Emblaveo?

If you or someone else has used too much Emblaveo, 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 Emblaveo?

Emblaveo is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you receive Emblaveo as scheduled.

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