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Overview: Zaynich is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain kidney or bladder infections. Common side effects can include diarrhea, headache, low potassium levels, and high blood pressure. Serious side effects are less common, but may include a type of diarrhea that is hard to treat or certain brain problems. Tell your health care provider right away if you get watery or bloody diarrhea, even up to two months after stopping this medicine, or if you have dizziness or trouble speaking, reading, writing, or understanding others. Zaynich is given as an injection by a health care provider, usually in a hospital or clinic.

Uses

What is Zaynich used for?

Zaynich (cefepime/zidebactam) is commonly used to treat certain kidney or bladder infections, including pyelonephritis.

Zaynich may not be the right medicine for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have become resistant to cefepime or zidebactam (the two antibiotics in Zaynich), which will make it or other similar antibiotics not work as well.

A Guide to Zaynich for Complicated UTIs

Zaynich may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Zaynich work (mechanism of action)?

Zaynich has two different medicines in it, cefepime and zidebactam. Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria by preventing them from being able to create their cell wall. Some bacteria can make substances, called beta-lactamases, that reduce the effects of certain antibiotics, like cefepime. Zidebactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It blocks these substances so that cefepime can keep working. Zidebactam is a different kind of antibiotic that also seems to have some activity against certain bacteria. 

How is Zaynich supplied (dosage forms)?

Zaynich is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Zaynich?

Zaynich is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Zaynich?

The most common side effects of Zaynich are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Zaynich that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Zaynich?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Zaynich are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Zaynich may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Severe Skin Reactions. Zaynich can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. This may be more likely if you have had an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics in the past. If you get a rash, tell your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects. Zaynich can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). This may be more likely if you already have kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have the following symptoms.

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Confusion, consciousness problems, coma
  • Seizures
  • Trouble speaking, reading, writing, or understanding others (aphasia)
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Zaynich. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Blood Disorders. Zaynich may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which is called hemolytic anemia. Your health care provider may run tests and stop Zaynich if you have hemolytic anemia.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Zaynich?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Zaynich.

  • Cefepime
  • Zaynich
  • Zidebactam
  • Any other medicine known as a beta-lactam antibiotic
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Zaynich.

What should I know about Zaynich before using it?

Zaynich is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Zaynich can affect the results of certain lab tests. If any of your health care providers are ordering lab work, including blood tests or urine (pee) tests, let them know you are using Zaynich. This will help them to understand your test results. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Zaynich?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Zaynich is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Malnourished
  • Recently received long-term antibiotic therapy or history of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Other Medicines and Supplements. Zaynich may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Zaynich, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Zaynich could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Cefepime (one of the active ingredients in Zaynich) passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Zaynich while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Zaynich?

For more information about Zaynich, you can visit the drugmaker’s website or call them at 844-367-6548.

Interactions

Does Zaynich interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Zaynich and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Zaynich, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections. 

Does Zaynich interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Zaynich.

  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin or gentamicin, which is a medicine given by injection to treat infections

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Zaynich. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Zaynich?

If you or someone else has used too much Zaynich, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Zaynich?

Zaynich is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Zaynich as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Zaynich, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Zaynich or other similar medicines.