Merck has discontinued Recarbrio, an intravenous antibiotic reserved for serious hospital infections with few treatment options, in the United States. A drug shortage notice for Recarbrio posted Sept. 9 lists the product as discontinued, with supply expected to end on or near late September. STAT reported on Sept. 28 that the company had not explained the decision.
The patients affected are a small but vulnerable group. Recarbrio is approved for pneumonia that develops in a hospital or on a ventilator, and for complicated urinary tract and abdominal infections, in patients with limited or no other treatment options. It is not used for ordinary bladder infections treated with pills.
