Omadacycline Injection

Generic name: Pronounced as (oh mad" a sye' kleen)
Brand names
  • Nuzyra®
Click on drug name to hear pronunciation

Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Last Revised - 12/15/2018

Omadacycline injection is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including pneumonia and certain infections of the skin. Omadacycline injection is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria.

Antibiotics such as omadacycline will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Omadacycline injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually given once daily over a period of 30 to 60 minutes for 10 to 14 days.

You may receive omadacycline injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving omadacycline injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Use omadacycline injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using omadacycline injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using omadacycline injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to omadacycline, doxycycline, minocycline, sarecycline, tetracycline, demeclocycline, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in omadacycline injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high pressure in the skull that may cause headaches, blurry or double vision, vision loss, and other symptoms).

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant during your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the use of effective birth control while receiving omadacycline injection. If you become pregnant while receiving omadacycline injection, call your doctor immediately. Omadacycline can harm the fetus.

  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are receiving omadacycline and for 4 days after your final dose.

  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Omadacycline injection may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Tell your doctor right away if you get a sunburn.

  • you should know that when omadacycline is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to age 8, it can cause the teeth to become permanently stained or temporarily affect bone growth. Omadacycline should not be used in children under age 8 unless your doctor decides it is needed.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

  • Omadacycline injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

    • nausea

    • vomiting

    • diarrhea

    • constipation

    • pain, redness, swelling, or irritation at the injection site

    • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

    • headache

  • Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop receiving omadacycline injection and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

    • hives

    • rash

    • itching

    • difficulty breathing or swallowing

    • watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment

    • severe headache, blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision

  • Omadacycline injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

  • If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to omadacycline injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Content provided by: AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2021. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists