Indications
Ceftaroline Fosamil is an advanced cephalosporin antibiotic given by intravenous infusion in hospital. It is used to treat complicated skin and soft tissue infections and community-acquired pneumonia (lung infection caught outside hospital) in adults and children. It is notable for working against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which many other cephalosporins do not cover.
How It Works
Ceftaroline Fosamil is a prodrug that the body quickly converts to active ceftaroline. It binds strongly to penicillin-binding proteins, including the altered PBP2a found in MRSA, and stops bacteria from building their cell walls, so they die. It is active against many gram-positive bacteria and some common gram-negative bacteria.
Dosage and Administration
Given as a slow drip into a vein by a doctor or nurse, usually every 8 to 12 hours over about 1 hour. The dose and length of treatment (often 5 to 14 days) depend on the infection, age, weight and kidney function, and are as prescribed by the doctor.
Interactions
No major interactions are known. As with other antibiotics, it may reduce the effect of live oral typhoid and cholera vaccines. Tell the doctor about all other medicines you take, including Warfarin, as antibiotics can affect blood thinning.
Contraindications
Do not use if you are allergic to ceftaroline or other cephalosporins, or if you have had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to any beta-lactam antibiotic such as penicillins or carbapenems.
Side Effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.
- Headache, dizziness.
- Rash or itching.
- Pain or inflammation at the infusion site.
- Positive Coombs test; rarely, anaemia due to breakdown of red cells.
- Low white blood cell count with longer treatment.
Get urgent medical help for swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty, severe skin rash with blisters or peeling, severe or bloody diarrhoea during or after treatment, seizures or confusion, unusual tiredness with pale or yellow skin, or fever with sore throat.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Information in pregnancy is limited; it is used only if the doctor considers it clearly needed. It is not known how much passes into breast milk; the doctor will decide whether breastfeeding should continue during treatment.
Precautions and Warnings
Tell the doctor about allergies to antibiotics, kidney problems (dose adjustment needed), seizures or bowel disease. Blood counts may be checked during longer courses. As with all antibiotics, prolonged use may allow resistant bacteria or fungi to grow, and Clostridioides difficile diarrhoea can occur.
Overdose
Overdose is unlikely as it is given in hospital. Treatment of overdose is supportive; part of the medicine can be removed by haemodialysis.
Therapeutic Class
Cephalosporin antibiotic with anti-MRSA activity (often called fifth-generation).
Storage
Hospital medicine: store vials below 30°C in the original carton to protect from light, as directed on the pack. Use the prepared infusion within the time stated on the pack.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.