In the War Against Infections.

ROCKVILLE, MD-The first antibacterial drug in a new class of synthetic drugs, Zyvox, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a number of uses:

1. To treat infections associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF), including cases with bloodstream infection.

2. To treat nosocomial pneumonia and complicated skin and skin structure infections, including cases due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

3. To treat community-acquired pneumonia and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.

Developed and manufactured by Pharmacia and Upjohn, Zyvox is the first drug in over 40 years to be introduced to the US market for treatment of MRSA infections. Side effects reported in the clinical studies were headache, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The most important laboratory test change was a decrease in platelet counts. Zyvox may interact with other drugs that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, such as over-the-counter cold remedies, and raise a patient's blood pressure.