Fidaxomicin - a promising new drug for Clostridium difficile

I am half way through my 4 week regimen of Vancomycin. I was in to see Nila Suntharam today and this is the latest:

• I have two weeks left of the Vanco (4 x a day). To continue with this
  
• To commence taking a prescription probiotic. Not sure what this is called as I haven't picked it up yet
  
• To call Dr Suntharam in two weeks to evaluate whether the Vanco should be extended.
  
• She said there is a promising new drug for C-Diff on the horizon. More information here:
  
  • Optimer Pharmaceuticals Submits Rolling New Drug Application to FDA for Fidaxomicin (September 2010)
    
  • New C. diff Drug OK'd by FDA Panel (April 2011)
    
  • DIFICID™ (fidaxomicin) (Optimer site). More on the drug below (quoted from this page)
    

Excerpt:

Fidaxomicin, our lead product candidate, is a new antibiotic with a novel mechanism of action being developed for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection or CDI, the most common nosocomial, or hospital acquired, diarrhea. We believe that Fidaxomicin offers advantages over current treatments due to its demonstrated activity against C. difficile, low rates of recurrence, evidence of low C. difficile resistance, minimal systemic exposure, limited disruption of normally occurring gastrointestinal bacteria and convenient dosing regimen. Our studies indicate that Fidaxomicin acts by inhibiting RNA polymerase, a bacterial enzyme, which results in the death of specific bacteria such as C. difficile. We currently hold rights to fidaxomicin in all regions of the world except for Europe and certain other countries in the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS.

Comment: DIFICID™ (fidaxomicin) is still not available but sounds promising. Meanwhile I will be on Vanco until I am better. Thanks for your prayers!