A tetracycline-class antibiotic for pneumonia and skin infections
Omadacycline
A tetracycline-class antibiotic used to treat certain types of pneumonia and skin infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria.
What is Omadacycline?
Omadacycline is an antibiotic from the tetracycline family used to treat certain types of pneumonia and serious skin infections, including some caused by bacteria that resist older antibiotics. It can be given by mouth or into a vein. Like other tetracyclines, it should be avoided in pregnancy and in young children because it can stain developing teeth and affect growing bones. It can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, commonly causes nausea, and, like many antibiotics, can lead to C. difficile diarrhoea. It is a specialist antibiotic, so its use is guided by the type of infection and the bacteria involved.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Omadacycline — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Omadacycline is a newer antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline family. It is used to treat certain types of community-acquired pneumonia (a chest infection picked up outside hospital) and serious skin and soft-tissue infections, including some caused by bacteria that have become resistant to older antibiotics. It can be given as tablets by mouth or as a drip into a vein, which gives flexibility in how a course is delivered. Because it is a specialist antibiotic kept for particular infections, it is prescribed with attention to the type of infection and, where possible, tests showing which bacteria are responsible.
How it works
Omadacycline works by blocking the machinery that bacteria use to make the proteins they need to grow and multiply. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot thrive, which lets the body clear the infection. As a member of the tetracycline family, it has been designed to get around some of the ways bacteria resist older tetracyclines, which is why it can work against certain resistant infections. It can be given by mouth or into a vein, so treatment can sometimes start in hospital and continue as tablets, guided by how the infection responds.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist antibiotic from the tetracycline family used for certain pneumonia and skin infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria.
Practical use
How to take Omadacycline
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it exactly as prescribed, by mouth or into a vein, following advice about food and timing to reduce nausea.
- Complete the full course, even if you feel better, so the infection is properly treated.
- Avoid it in pregnancy and in young children, as it can stain developing teeth and affect growing bones.
- Protect your skin from strong sunlight, as it can make you more likely to burn.
- Report any new or worsening diarrhoea, as this can be a sign of C. difficile infection.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Omadacycline
Advantages
- Treats certain pneumonia and serious skin infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria.
- Can be given by mouth or into a vein, allowing flexible treatment.
- Designed to work around some forms of resistance to older tetracyclines.
Disadvantages
- Must be avoided in pregnancy and in young children because of effects on teeth and bones.
- Commonly causes nausea, and can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Like other antibiotics, can cause C. difficile diarrhoea.
Practical use
Good to know
Like other tetracyclines, omadacycline should be avoided in pregnancy and in young children, because it can stain developing teeth and affect growing bones, so it is not suitable in these groups. It can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it helps to cover up and use sun protection while taking it. Nausea and vomiting are common, particularly with the first doses, and following advice about how to take it can help. As with many antibiotics, it can disturb the balance of bacteria in the gut and lead to C. difficile infection, which causes diarrhoea that can be serious, so any new or worsening diarrhoea should be reported. It is a specialist antibiotic, so completing the prescribed course and using it only when appropriate helps it keep working.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to omadacycline or other tetracyclines should not take it.
- It should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and in young children, because of effects on teeth and bones.
- It is used with care in people with certain other conditions, under specialist guidance.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well the infection responds to treatment.
- Watching for stomach upset and any new or worsening diarrhoea.
- Checking liver blood tests where appropriate during treatment.
Side effects
- Nausea and vomiting, especially with the first doses.
- Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, making sunburn more likely.
- Diarrhoea, headache, and, less commonly, C. difficile diarrhoea or changes in liver blood tests.
Key interactions
- Antacids and supplements containing calcium, magnesium or iron can stop it being absorbed, so keep them well apart.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as some can interact with tetracyclines.
- Be cautious with other medicines that increase sensitivity to sunlight.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth and a powder made up into a solution for a drip into a vein.
Answers
Omadacycline: frequently asked questions
What is omadacycline used for?
It is a tetracycline-class antibiotic used to treat certain types of pneumonia and serious skin infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria.
Why is it avoided in pregnancy and young children?
Like other tetracyclines, it can stain developing teeth and affect growing bones, so it is not used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or in young children.
Will it make me more sensitive to the sun?
It can make your skin more likely to burn, so cover up and use sun protection while taking it and for a short time afterwards.
Can it be given as a tablet?
Yes, it can be given as tablets by mouth or as a drip into a vein, so treatment can sometimes start in hospital and continue at home.
Why should I report diarrhoea?
Like many antibiotics, it can disturb gut bacteria and lead to C. difficile infection, which causes diarrhoea that can be serious, so report any new or worsening diarrhoea.
The wider class
About Tetracycline-class antibiotic
Omadacycline belongs to the tetracycline-class antibiotic class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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