Fosfomycin, an old antibiotic with new possibilities

Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic agent used orally for uncomplicated cystitis. The intravenous form of administration has recently been authorised in the Netherlands. Thanks to its broad spectrum and extensive tissue penetration, fosfomycin offers possibilities for the treatment of infections in different organs. Infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant threat to public health. Many of these multidrug-resistant bacteria are sensitive to fosfomycin, which means fosfomycin may be an option for the treatment of infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria. There is a lack of knowledge about the pharmacological properties of fosfomycin to establish a good dosing schedule. Knowledge is also lacking about the safety of fosfomycin and the extent of its tolerability in the treatment of different infections. More research is needed before fosfomycin can be used in the battle against multidrug-resistant bacteria.