How does Zemdri (plazomicin) work?

Zemdri (plazomicin) is an [aminoglycoside antibiotic](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/aminoglycoside-antibiotics). It works by [preventing bacteria from making certain proteins](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4888811/#s2title), which stops them from being able to survive and spread throughout your body.

How is Zemdri (plazomicin) given?

Zemdri (plazomicin) is given as an infusion through the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider in the hospital. Your provider will determine your dose based on your body weight. Typically, you'll receive an infusion of Zemdri (plazomicin) daily. You might receive it every other day if your kidneys aren't working well. The infusion takes about 30 minutes. The length of treatment typically ranges from 4 to 7 days, depending on where and how serious your infection is.

Zemdri

Q: What is Zemdri (plazomicin) used for?

Zemdri (plazomicin) is approved to treat [complicated urinary tract infections], including infections that affect the kidneys. Because Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause many serious side effects, such as kidney damage and hearing loss, it's usually only used when there aren't any other options available. For example, it might be used to treat a a severe infection from [resistant bacteria](https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html) and when other antibiotics either can't be used or haven't worked well.

Q: What are some serious risks and warnings for Zemdri (plazomicin)?

Zemdri (plazomicin) has [black box warnings](https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/safety/fda-black-box-warning) for some potentially serious risks. One serious side effect Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause is __kidney damage__. Your provider will measure the health of your kidneys before and during treatment with Zemdri (plazomicin) and will adjust your dose or stop treatment all together if your kidney problem worsens. In addition, Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause __hearing problems__ (e.g., hearing loss, ringing in the ears) and __vertigo__ (dizziness). You're more likely to experience these if you've a family history of hearing loss, poor kidney function, or are receiving Zemdri (plazomicin) at high doses for long periods of time. Let your provider know if you have any hearing problems while receiving Zemdri (plazomicin) because they'll likely need to stop treatment. Other serious problems Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause include __muscle weakness__ and __harm to unborn babies__ if taken by mothers during pregnancy.

Q: What are some possible side effects of Zemdri (plazomicin)?

Side effects seen in people taking Zemdri (plazomicin) include kidney problems, diarrhea, changes in blood pressure, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However, these side effects weren't common and were experienced by about 1-4% of people during clinical trials. Your provider will monitor you while you're in the hospital and will adjust your dose if you're having side effects.

Q: Is Zemdri (plazomicin) safe to use during pregnancy?

No. Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause serious harm to unborn babies if taken by mothers during pregnancy. This medication can cause deafness in babies who were exposed to it while in their mother's womb. Let your provider know if you're pregnant before taking Zemdri (plazomicin).

plazomicin

Used for Urinary Tract Infection

Zemdri (plazomicin) is approved to treat complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Zemdri (plazomicin) is typically given as a daily infusion through the veins by a healthcare provider. But you might receive it every other day if you have serious kidney problems. Zemdri (plazomicin) can cause serious side effects, including kidney damage and hearing loss. Because of these risks, this medication is typically only used when there aren't other options available.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on October 10, 2022

What is Zemdri (plazomicin)?

What is Zemdri (plazomicin) used for?

Complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Drug facts

Common Brands	Zemdri
Drug Class	Aminoglycoside
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Zemdri

Drug Class

Aminoglycoside

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Zemdri

Zemdri is approved to treat [complicated urinary tract infections], including infections that affect the kidneys. Because Zemdri can cause many serious side effects, such as kidney damage and hearing loss, it's usually only used when there aren't any other options available. For example, it might be used to treat a a severe infection from resistant bacteria and when other antibiotics either can't be used or haven't worked well.

Zemdri is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It works by preventing bacteria from making certain proteins, which stops them from being able to survive and spread throughout your body.

Zemdri is given as an infusion through the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider in the hospital. Your provider will determine your dose based on your body weight. Typically, you'll receive an infusion of Zemdri daily. You might receive it every other day if your kidneys aren't working well. The infusion takes about 30 minutes. The length of treatment typically ranges from 4 to 7 days, depending on where and how serious your infection is.

Zemdri has black box warnings for some potentially serious risks. One serious side effect Zemdri can cause is kidney damage. Your provider will measure the health of your kidneys before and during treatment with Zemdri and will adjust your dose or stop treatment all together if your kidney problem worsens. In addition, Zemdri can cause hearing problems (e.g., hearing loss, ringing in the ears) and vertigo (dizziness). You're more likely to experience these if you've a family history of hearing loss, poor kidney function, or are receiving Zemdri at high doses for long periods of time. Let your provider know if you have any hearing problems while receiving Zemdri because they'll likely need to stop treatment. Other serious problems Zemdri can cause include muscle weakness and harm to unborn babies if taken by mothers during pregnancy.

Side effects seen in people taking Zemdri include kidney problems, diarrhea, changes in blood pressure, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However, these side effects weren't common and were experienced by about 1-4% of people during clinical trials. Your provider will monitor you while you're in the hospital and will adjust your dose if you're having side effects.

No. Zemdri can cause serious harm to unborn babies if taken by mothers during pregnancy. This medication can cause deafness in babies who were exposed to it while in their mother's womb. Let your provider know if you're pregnant before taking Zemdri.