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Phosphonic acid antibiotic Pregnancy: No data from intravenous use in pregnant women; fosfomycin crosses the placenta and animal studies do not indicate reproductive toxicity - should not be prescribed to pregnant women unless the benefit outweighs the risk. Breast-feeding: low quantities found in human milk; not recommended as first choice for a breast-feeding woman, especially if breast-feeding a premature or new-born baby.

Fosfomycin

Brand names: Monuril, Fomicyt

Fosfomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic; the oral sachet (fosfomycin trometamol) is used as single-dose therapy for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection, while an intravenous form is reserved for serious multidrug-resistant infections.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 12 to 24 g daily in 2 to 3 divided doses (adults and adolescents >=12 years and >=40 kg with estimated creatinine clearance >80 ml/min)
Route: Intravenous infusion
Frequency: 2 to 3 divided doses daily (3 to 4 divided doses for bacterial meningitis)
Max: Individual doses must not exceed 8 g
Product: Fomicyt 40 mg/ml powder for solution for infusion (UK SPC) - intravenous fosfomycin. Daily dose is determined by indication, severity and site of infection, susceptibility of the pathogen and renal function. Table 1 (CrCl >80 ml/min): complicated urinary tract infection, infective endocarditis, bone and joint infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumonia, complicated skin and soft tissue infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections and associated bacteraemia all 12-24 g daily in 2-3 divided doses; bacterial meningitis 16-24 g daily in 3-4 divided doses. The high-dose regimen in 3 divided doses should be used in severe infections expected or known to be caused by less susceptible bacteria; there are limited safety data in particular for doses in excess of 16 g/day and special caution is advised when such doses are prescribed. Duration should take into account type and severity of infection and clinical response. Elderly: use the recommended adult doses, with caution at the higher end of the range. Hepatic impairment: no dose adjustment necessary. Administration: intravenous use only; infusion duration at least 15 minutes for the 2 g pack, at least 30 minutes for the 4 g pack and at least 60 minutes for the 8 g pack; ensure administration into veins only. High sodium content (0.32 g sodium per gram of fosfomycin) - monitor sodium and potassium and consider potassium supplementation. Whenever possible give as part of a combination antibacterial regimen (rapid selection of resistant mutants). SPC section 4.5 (interactions) was not captured in the fetched bundle. Separately, the US label in the bundle is a different product and route - fosfomycin tromethamine granules for ORAL solution, one single-dose sachet for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (acute cystitis) in women 18 years and older, mixed in 3-4 ounces of water (the sachet strength is not stated in the fetched text); do not apply the intravenous doses above to the oral sachet or vice versa.

Paediatric dose

Route: Intravenous infusion
Frequency: In 2 to 4 divided doses daily depending on age and body weight
Max: Individual doses must not exceed 8 g
SPC states dose recommendations are based on very limited data. Neonates, infants and children <12 years (<40 kg), dosing by age and body weight (BW): premature neonates (sum of gestational and postnatal age <40 weeks) 100 mg/kg BW daily in 2 divided doses; neonates (age 40-44 weeks) 200 mg/kg BW daily in 3 divided doses; infants 1-12 months (up to 10 kg BW) 200-300 mg/kg BW daily in 3 divided doses; infants and children aged 1 to <=12 years (10 to <=40 kg BW) 200-400 mg/kg BW daily in 3-4 divided doses. The high-dose regimen may be considered for severe or serious infections (such as meningitis), in particular when known or suspected to be caused by organisms with moderate susceptibility. No dose recommendations can be made for children with renal impairment. Adolescents >=12 years and >=40 kg use the adult regimen. Neonates under sodium restriction: assess the risk of hypernatraemia and fluid overload before starting. Verify against a children's formulary.

Dose adjustments

Renal

No dose adjustment recommended for estimated creatinine clearance 40-80 ml/min (caution, particularly at the higher end of the dose range). For CrCl <40 mL/min the daily dose is a proportion of the normal-function dose (Cockcroft-Gault): CrCl 40 mL/min - 70% in 2-3 divided doses; 30 mL/min - 60% in 2-3 divided doses; 20 mL/min - 40% in 2-3 divided doses; 10 mL/min - 20% in 1-2 divided doses. The first (loading) dose should be increased by 100% but must not exceed 8 g. Chronic intermittent dialysis (every 48 hours): 2 g of fosfomycin at the end of each dialysis session. Post-dilution CVVHF: no dose adjustment required.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients

Side effects

  • Erythematous eruption (common)
  • Dysgeusia (common)
  • Hypernatraemia and hypokalaemia (common)
  • Injection site phlebitis (common)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (uncommon); antibiotic-associated colitis (frequency not known)
  • Agranulocytosis (transient), leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia (frequency not known); anaphylactic reactions including anaphylactic shock (very rare)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits MurA (enolpyruvyl transferase), the first committed enzyme in bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis, giving broad activity including against many resistant Gram-negative organisms.

Prescribing in practice

  • Reserve fosfomycin for confirmed or strongly suspected resistant urinary infection in line with antimicrobial stewardship, as it is a valued agent for multidrug-resistant organisms.
  • The oral granules are dissolved in water and best taken on an empty stomach, ideally at bedtime after emptying the bladder, to maximise urinary concentrations.
  • The intravenous preparation carries a significant sodium load, which is relevant in heart failure and where sodium restriction matters.

Monitoring

Routine monitoring is limited for single oral doses, but electrolytes including sodium and potassium should be checked during intravenous courses.

Counselling the patient

  • Dissolve the granules in water and drink immediately, preferably at night after passing urine.
  • A single dose is usually enough; return if symptoms persist or worsen.
  • Take it on an empty stomach for best effect.

Evidence & guidelines

Single-dose oral fosfomycin trometamol is recommended in NICE urinary tract infection guidance as an option for lower UTI, including some resistant organisms.

Reference: NICE NG109; UK AMR guidance; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.