Navigation

Zinplava vs. Dificid

Are Zinplava and Dificid the Same Thing?

Zinplava (bezlotoxumab) injection and Dificid (fidaxomicin) are used to treat Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).

Zinplava and Dificid belong to different drug classes. Zinplava is a human monoclonal antibody and Dificid is a macrolide antibiotic.

Side effects of Zinplava and Dificid that are similar include nausea.

Side effects of Zinplava that are different from Dificid include fever and headache.

Side effects of Dificid that are different from Zinplava include vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, gas, skin rash, and itching.

Zinplava may interact with other drugs.

Dificid may interact with cyclosporine.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zinplava?

Common side effects of Zinplava include:

  • nausea,
  • fever, and
  • headache.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Dificid?

Common side effects of Dificid include:

  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • bloating,
  • gas,
  • skin rash or
  • itching

What Is Zinplava?

Zinplava (bezlotoxumab) injection is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to Clostridium difficile (C. Diff.) toxin B, indicated to reduce recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients 18 years of age or older who are receiving antibacterial drug treatment of CDI and are at a high risk for CDI recurrence.

What Is Dificid?

Dificid (fidaxomicin) is a macrolide antibacterial drug used to reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults over the age of 18. Dificid should only be used to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by Clostridium difficile (also called C. difficile).

 

What Drugs Interact With Zinplava?

Zinplava may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Zinplava. It is unknown how it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Zinplava passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Dificid?

Dificid is known to react with Cyclosporine. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women or in children under age 18. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known whether fidaxomicin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Dificid is administered to a nursing woman.

 

How Should Zinplava Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Zinplava is a single dose of 10 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes.

How Should Dificid Be Taken?

Dificid (fidaxomicin) is available only as 200 mg strength tablets. The recommended dose is one 200 mg Dificid tablet orally twice daily for 10 days with or without food. Serious side effects are GI bleeding and intestinal obstruction.