Sivextro receives FDA approval

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate), an antibacterial drug.



Sivextro is approved to treat patients with acute bacterial and skin structure infection caused by certain susceptible bacteria like staphylococcus aureus — including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible strains — various streptococcus species, and enterococcus faecalis. The drug is available for both intravenous and oral use.



“Today’s approval provides physicians and patients with a new treatment option for serious skin infections,” said Edward Cox, M.D., M.P.H, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.



Sivextro is marketed by Cubist Pharmaceutical, which is based in Lexington, Mass.