Fidaxomicin is specifically used to treat which condition?

Fidaxomicin is an antimicrobial agent that is specifically indicated for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff colitis). This condition is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria C. difficile in the intestines, which can occur after the use of other antibiotics that disrupt the normal gut flora. Fidaxomicin works by inhibiting the RNA polymerase of C. difficile, effectively stopping the bacteria from multiplying.

Its specificity for C. difficile is part of what makes fidaxomicin a preferred choice for this particular infection as it is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing it to act directly within the gastrointestinal tract where the infection occurs. This localized action helps to reduce the risk of systemic side effects while providing potent antibacterial activity against C. difficile.

The other conditions listed, such as MRSA infections, strep throat, and urinary tract infections, typically require different classes of antibiotics that target the specific bacteria responsible for those infections and reflect distinct pathology that fidaxomicin is not designed to address.