Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has launched both ceftriaxone for injection, USP, and cefuroxime for injection, USP, two broad spectrum antibiotics for parenteral administration used to treat bacterial infections.  Sagent’s ceftriaxone for injection will be available to the U.S. market in 250 mg and 500 mg single dose vials, as well as 1g and 2g single dose vials; cefuroxime for injection will be available in 750 mg and 1.5g single dose vials and in 7.5g pharmacy bulk package vials.  According to IMS data, combined 2007 sales for the two antibiotics were $156 million.
 
"We are excited to introduce these two broad-spectrum antibiotics, incorporating important features unique to Sagent, including enhanced labeling designed to enable rapid and accurate product identification,” said Jeffrey M. Yordon, Sagent’s chief executive officer, founder, and chairman of the board.  “Importantly, this marks our fifth and sixth product launches in the past eight months, in line with our objective of rapidly introducing safe, high-quality products from our pipeline of over 200 products.  Sagent is committed to bringing injectables excellence to healthcare providers and patients.”

About Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, is a broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections and is the generic equivalent of Roche’s Rocephin® (ceftriaxone for injection).  Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, is indicated for infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and skin-structure, intra-abdomen, and bones and joints, as well as acute otitis media, uncomplicated gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial septicemia and meningitis.  Ceftriaxone may also reduce the incidence of postoperative infections is used as a surgical prophylaxis preoperatively.  

The most common adverse effects may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, sweating and vaginal itching or discharge.  Less common adverse effects include watery or bloody diarrhea; fever or chills; skin rash; bruising; severe tingling; numbness; pain; muscle weakness; injection site pain, swelling or irritation; heartburn; bloating; and severe upper stomach pain.

About Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime for injection, USP, is a semisynthetic broad spectrum antibiotic agent for parenteral administration used to treat a variety of infections and is the generic equivalent of GlaxoSmithKline’s ZINACEF® (cefuroxime for injection).  Cefuroxime belongs to the cephalosporin family of drugs.  Cefuroxime for injection, USP, is indicated for infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and skin-structure, and bones and joints, as well as septicemia, meningitis, gonorrhea.  In certain cases of confirmed or suspected gram-positive or gram-negative sepsis or in patients with other serious infections in which the causative organism has not been identified, cefuroxime may be used concomitantly with an aminoglycoside.  Cefuroxime may be used prophylactically to prevent the growth of susceptible disease-causing bacteria and thereby may reduce the incidence of certain postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures that are classified as clean-contaminated or potentially contaminated procedures. 

The most common adverse effects may include pain, swelling or redness at the injection site. Less common adverse effects include severe allergic reactions; black or bloody stools; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; seizures; severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal irritation or discharge; vein swelling at the injection site; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

 

About Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2006, is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing, sourcing and marketing pharmaceutical products, with a specific emphasis on injectable products.  Sagent has created a unique, global network of resources, comprised of rapid development capabilities, sophisticated manufacturing and innovative drug-delivery technologies, quickly yielding an extensive portfolio of pharmaceutical products that fulfills the evolving needs of patients.  Sagent currently has more than 200 products in development.

To Discover Injectables Excellence™ and learn more about Sagent, please visit www.SagentPharma.com.