Oritavancin, sold under the brand name Orbactiv among others, is a semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotic medication for the treatment of serious Gram-positive bacterial infections. Its chemical structure  as a lipoglycopeptide  is similar to vancomycin.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved oritavancin for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In vitro activity
Oritavancin shares certain properties with other members of the glycopeptide class of antibiotics, which includes vancomycin, the current standard of care for serious Gram-positive infections in the United States and Europe. It possesses potent and rapid bactericidal activity in vitro against a broad spectrum of both resistant and susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, enterococci, and streptococci. Oritavancin was more active than either metronidazole or vancomycin against strains of Clostridium difficile tested.Oritavancin has potential use as a therapy for exposure to Bacillus anthracis, the Gram-positive bacterium that causes anthrax, having demonstrated efficacy in a mouse model both before and after exposure to the bacterium.oritavancin demonstrates in vitro activity against both the planktonic and biofilmstates of staphylococci associated with Prosthetic joint infection (PJI), albeit with increased minimum biofilm bactericidal concentration (MBBC) compared to Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values. Moreever oritavancin has demonstrated activity against in vitro to vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (VSE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in both planktonic and biofilm states. Mechanism
The 4-chlorobiphenylmethyl group disrupts the cell membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. It also acts by inhibition of transglycosylation and inhibition of transpeptidation. Synergism
Several antibiotics have been tested as partner drugs of oritavancin.
The syndrome can also cause severe mental deficiencies in infants. Infants born with phocomelia will normally have a petite head with "sparse hair" that may appear "silvery-blonde." Hemangioma, the abnormal buildup of blood vessels, will possibly develop around the facial area at birth and the eyes may be set widely apart, a condition known as orbital hypertelorism. The pigment of the eyes will be a bluish white. Phocomelia can also cause: an undeveloped nose with slender nostrils, disfigured ears, irregularly petite jaws (a condition known as micrognathia), and a cleft lip with cleft palate. According to NORD, severe symptoms of phocomelia include:
A fissure of the skull and a projecting brain known as (encephalocele)
An accumulation of spinal fluid under the skull also known as hydrocephalus; causing vomiting and migraines
An abnormally shaped uterus (bicornuate)
Inability to clot blood efficiently due to a low amount of platelets running through the blood
Malformations in the kidney and heart
Shortened neck
Abnormalities in the urethra

Thalidomide syndrome symptoms
When an individual is born with phocomelia due to drugs or pharmaceuticals, it is known as thalidomide syndrome. The symptoms of thalidomide syndrome are defined by absent or shortened limbs; causing flipper hands and feet. According to Anthony J Perri III, and Sylvia Hsu they can additionally receive:
Palsy disorder of the face
Ear and eye abnormalities; resulting in limited/complete loss of hearing or sight
Gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract disorders
Ingrown genitalia
Undeveloped/missing lungs
Distorted digestive tract, heart, kidney
disorders to the limbsThe infants that were exposed to thalidomide during development phases had a 40% chance of survival.