Generic name: ceftaroline [ sef-TAR-oh-leen-FOS-a-mil ]
Brand name: Teflaro
Drug class: Next generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 1, 2024.

Uses for ceftaroline

Ceftaroline injection is used to treat acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

Ceftaroline injection belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using ceftaroline

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftaroline injection to treat ABSSSI in children at least 34 weeks gestational age and 12 days and older, and to treat CABP in children 2 months of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than these age groups.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftaroline injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ceftaroline injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
• Diarrhea, severe, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease, end stage or
• Kidney disease, moderate or severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper use of ceftaroline

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

This medicine is usually given every 8 hours (for children) or 12 hours (for adults) for 5 to 14 days or until your body responds to the medicine. Each treatment usually takes 5 to 60 minutes.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child begin to feel better after a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, you must receive this medicine on a regular schedule.

Precautions while using ceftaroline

Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you or your child stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause brain or nerve problems (eg, encephalopathy and seizures). Check with your doctor right away if you have agitation, back pain, blurred vision, coma, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, hallucinations, headache, irritability, mood or mental changes, shaking or jerking of one area or side of the body, stiff neck, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

Hemolytic anemia may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have back, leg, or stomach pains, bleeding gums, chills, dark urine, difficulty with breathing, fever, general body swelling, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, nosebleeds, pale skin, sore throat, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of ceftaroline

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• chills
• dark urine
• difficulty with breathing
• fever
• general body swelling
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• nosebleeds
• pale skin
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Less common

• Black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• bluish color
• changes in skin color
• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• confusion
• cough
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• general tiredness and weakness
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• light-colored stools
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• lower back or side pain
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• seizures
• skin itching, rash, redness, or hives
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• swelling of the face, throat, fingers, or lower legs
• swollen glands
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
• weakness or heaviness of the legs
• weight gain

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• back pain
• blurred vision
• coma
• hallucinations
• irritability
• mood or mental changes
• shaking or jerking of one area or side of the body
• stiff neck

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• flushed, dry skin fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased urination
• sweating
• unexplained weight loss
• welts

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Teflaro

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 5th Generation Cephalosporin

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer