Fosfomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Fosfomycin was discovered in 1969 by scientists at the Spanish Penicillin and Antibiotics Company and is produced by Streptomyces fradiae.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Fosfomycin exerts its bactericidal effects by binding covalently to a cysteine in the active site of the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase (MurA) enzyme, rendering it inactive. By preventing MurA from catalyzing the condensation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) with UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UNAG), fosfomycin inhibits the production of the peptidoglycan precursor UDP N-acetylmuramic acid (UDP-MurNAc). Ultimately, the first step of bacterial cell wall synthesis is disrupted.
In Escherichia coli, fosfomycin gains entry into bacterial cells via two mechanisms: the L-alpha-glycerophosphate system and the hexose-6-phosphate transporter system.
Fosfomycin also has important effects on cell adhesion. For example, the adhesion of bacterial cells to urinary epithelial cells is reduced in the presence of fosfomycin. The adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae to respiratory epithelial cells is also reduced
- Primary indication
- Fosfomycin is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) in women due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.Curator reviewed · 4 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C3H7O4P · 138.059 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2019 · United States, 1996
- Also known as
- Fosfocina · Phosphomycin · Phosphonemycin · Phosphonomycin
- Code names
- J01XX01 · ZTI-01
- Brand names
Resolves to
YMDXZJFXQJVXBF-STHAYSLISA-NSMILESC[C@@H]1O[C@@H]1P(O)(O)=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Fosfomycin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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