Emblaveo

Pronunciation: em-blah-vee-oh
Generic name: avibactam/aztreonam
Dosage form: injection for intravenous use (2 grams [aztreonam 1.5 g/ avibactam 0.5 g])
Drug class: Monobactams / beta-lactamase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Apr 3, 2025.

What is Emblaveo?

Emblaveo is a combination antibiotic used to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in adults with limited or no alternative treatment options. It is used with metronidazole and is given as an intravenous infusion every 6 to 12 hours, depending on renal function.

Emblaveo contains aztreonam and avibactam.

• Aztreonam is a monobactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), leading to lysis of the bacterial cell wall.
• Avibactam is a non-beta-lactam, beta-lactamase inhibitor that prevents beta-lactamase enzymes from breaking down aztreonam, allowing it to remain effective.

When prescribed for complicated intra-abdominal infections, Emblaveo is used in combination with metronidazole, which targets anaerobic bacteria often involved in these infections.

This combination approach allows Emblaveo to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms and effectively treat infections caused by specific gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, and Serratia species, particularly in cases where other treatment options are limited.

Emblaveo gained FDA approval on February 7, 2025. There is no generic.

Side effects

The most common side effects of Emblaveo are:

• Liver problems
• Anemia
• Diarrhea
• Low potassium levels
• Fever.

Serious side effects and warnings

Emblaveo can cause the following serious side effects:

• Allergic Reactions. Serious allergic reactions can occur with Emblaveo that require immediate medical attention. Before starting treatment, tell your healthcare provider about any previous allergic reactions to antibiotics or other medications. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, flushing, or difficulty breathing
• Serious Skin Reactions. Watch for signs of serious skin reactions, including sudden severe rash, blistering or peeling skin, high fever, or joint pain. These may indicate a more serious condition like toxic epidermal necrolysis. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice these symptoms
• Liver problems. Emblaveo may cause elevations in liver enzymes, particularly transaminases. Your healthcare provider may consider discontinuation of Emblaveo if this happens.
• Clostridoides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Diarrhea is a common side effect of most antibiotics, but frequent watery or bloody diarrhea may indicate a serious overgrowth of C. difficile. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop severe diarrhea during or after treatment.

This is not a full list of side effects. See the prescribing Information for a full list. To report suspected adverse reactions, contact AbbVie Inc. at 1-800-633-9110 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 

Related/similar drugs

How is Emblaveo administered?

Emblaveo is administered by a healthcare provider via an intravenous infusion.

• The dosage, infusion time, and frequency of administration depend on a person's renal function.
• The recommended duration of treatment for cIAI is 5 to 14 days.

Dosing information

Administer a single loading dose followed by maintenance doses, starting at the next dosing interval.

• The dosing interval is calculated from the start of one infusion to the start of the subsequent infusion.
• For treatment of cIAI, administer metronidazole concurrently.
• Both aztreonam and avibactam are removed by hemodialysis. Administer Emblaveo after hemodialysis, on hemodialysis days.

Adult dose CL_CR more than 50 mL/min:

• Loading: 2.67 grams (aztreonam 2 grams/avibactam 0.67 grams) over 3 hours
• Maintenance: 2 grams (aztreonam 1.5 grams/avibactam 0.5 grams) over 3 hours
• Dosing interval every 6 hours

Adult dose CL_CR more than 30 mL/min to 50 mL/min:

• Loading: 2.67 grams (aztreonam 2 grams/avibactam 0.67 grams) over 3 hours
• Maintenance: 1 gram (aztreonam 0.75 grams/avibactam 0.25 grams) over 3 hours
• Dosing interval every 6 hours

Adult dose CL_CR more than 15 mL/min to 30 mL/min:

• Loading: 1.8 grams (aztreonam 1.35 grams/avibactam 0.45 grams) over 3 hours
• Maintenance: 0.9 grams (aztreonam 0.675 grams/avibactam 0.225 grams) over 3 hours
• Dosing interval every 8 hours

Adult dose CL_CR less than or equal to 15 mL/min:

• Loading: 1.33 grams (aztreonam 1 gram/avibactam 0.33 grams) over 3 hours
• Maintenance: 0.9 grams (aztreonam 0.675 grams/avibactam 0.225 grams) over 3 hours
• Dosing interval every 12 hours.

What other drugs will affect Emblaveo?

Do not administer organic anion transporter (OAT) 1 and OAT 3 transport inhibitors, such as probenecid at the same time.

This is not a complete list of interactions. See the Emblaveo Prescribing Information for a full list.

Ingredients

Active: aztreonam 1.5 grams and avibactam 0.5 grams

Inactive: L-arginine 1170 mg/vial.

The total sodium content of the mixture is approximately 44.6 mg/vial. 

Supplied as lyophilized powder, which must be reconstituted and diluted prior to the intravenous infusion.

Who makes Emblaveo?

Emblaveo is manufactured by AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL. Emblaveo is a trademark of Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited, an AbbVie company.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer