Fosfomycin is an antibiotic Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill microorganisms or stop them from reproducing... read more that has a unique chemical structure. It is used mainly to treat bladder infections caused by Escherichia coli Escherichia coli Infections Escherichia coli (E. coli) are a group of gram-negative bacteria that normally reside in the intestine of healthy people, but some strains can cause infection in the digestive tract, urinary... read more (E. coli) or Enterococcus faecalis. It is sometimes used to treat other infections when they are caused by bacteria resistant to other antibiotics.
Some bacteria have an outer covering (cell wall) that protects them. Fosfomycin works by preventing bacteria from forming this wall, resulting in death of the bacteria.
Fosfomycin is usually well-tolerated but may cause nausea and diarrhea.
(See also Overview of Antibiotics Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill microorganisms or stop them from reproducing... read more .)
Use of Fosfomycin During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Fosfomycin should be used during pregnancy only when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. (See also Drug Use During Pregnancy Drug Use During Pregnancy More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy... read more .)
Whether use of fosfomycin during breastfeeding is safe is not known. (See also Drug Use During Breastfeeding Drug Use During Breastfeeding When mothers who are breastfeeding have to take a drug, they wonder whether they should stop breastfeeding. The answer depends on the following: How much of the drug passes into the milk Whether... read more .)
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
vancomycin |
VANCOCIN |
Fosfomycin |
MONUROL |
