Iclaprim, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor antibiotic in Phase III of clinical development: a review of its pharmacology, microbiology and clinical efficacy and safety.

Iclaprim is under clinical development for treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and nosocomial pneumonia most often due to Gram-positive bacteria, including infections due to drug-resistant bacteria. In two recent Phase III studies of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, intravenous iclaprim 80 mg every 12 h was noninferior to dose-adjusted vancomycin. Additional studies are planned for patients with nosocomial pneumonia. Iclaprim represents an alternative for the treatment of severe skin and pulmonary infections due to Gram-positive bacteria.