Teflaro
Ceftaroline, also known by its brand name Teflaro, is a fifth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that's used to treat pneumonia and skin infections. It's usually used for people who might have an infection from resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. Ceftaroline (Teflaro) is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Side effects can include diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Ceftaroline (Teflaro) is similar to penicillin, so it might not be a good choice for people with a penicillin allergy.
What is Ceftaroline (Teflaro)?
What is Ceftaroline (Teflaro) used for?
Bacterial skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
How Ceftaroline (Teflaro) works
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making a covering around themselves for protection.
Drug Facts
What are the side effects of Ceftaroline (Teflaro)?
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea (5%)
- Nausea (4%)
- Rash (3%)
- Diarrhea (8%)
- Rash (7%)
- Vomiting (5%)
- Nausea (3%)
- Fever (3%)
Other Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Low blood potassium levels
- Inflammation and pain in the veins
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, trouble breathing
- Nervous system side effects: hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real), seizures, sudden and brief involuntary movements or twitching, not able to speak, confusion
- C. difficile-related diarrhea: foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent bowel movements (up to 15 times per day), fever, stomach pain or cramps
Source:Â DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
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
general body swelling
headache
loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
nosebleeds
pale skin
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
decreased frequency or amount of urine
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
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
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.
Pros and cons of Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
Pros
Works well at treating serious bacterial infections of the skin and lungs
Can use to treat adults and children of all ages
Doesn't interact with other medications
Can fight against resistant bacteria like MRSA
Cons
Needs to be given as an IV infusion by a healthcare provider
Only approved for skin infections and certain types of pneumonia
Given every 8 to 12 hours
Available as a brand-name medication only
Pharmacist tips for Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) can cause diarrhea even though it's given as an injection. In general, it should go away when you stop taking the antibiotic.
Get medical help as soon as possible if you start having watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping ceftaroline (Teflaro). These can be signs of serious infectious (C. diff) diarrhea that should be treated right away.
Get medical help right away if you or your loved ones notice any changes in your behavior, such as confusion, trouble speaking, or hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real). These could be signs of nervous system side effects from ceftaroline (Teflaro).
Notify your care team if you develop other symptoms of an illness or if your symptoms become worse. Ceftaroline (Teflaro) can only treat infections caused by bacteria, so it won't help if you have a viral or fungal infection.
Tips for using ceftaroline (Teflaro) at home (if instructed by your provider):
If you need treatment with ceftaroline (Teflaro) for a long time, it's possible that your provider might let you take the medication at home. If so, make sure to carefully follow your provider's instructions so you use ceftaroline (Teflaro) properly and safely.
Your provider will give you instructions on how to prepare your ceftaroline (Teflaro) dose and transfer it into a clean IV bag that'll then be used to infuse the medication into your vein. Ask your provider if you have any questions on how to prepare and infuse the medication.
Make sure to set a reminder for your infusions. It's important to get all of your doses of ceftaroline (Teflaro) and finish your treatment course, even if you feel better. Your infection might get worse or become harder to treat if you stop the medication earlier than prescribed.
Mark your scheduled provider visits and blood work appointments on your calendar. These follow-ups help your provider check that ceftaroline (Teflaro) is treating your infection and that it's as safe as possible for you.
Frequently asked questions about Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
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What are the risks and warnings for Ceftaroline (Teflaro)?
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
Risk factors: Allergy to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics
Allergic reactions to ceftaroline (Teflaro) are possible. These can include life-threatening reactions like hives, facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Let your provider know if you have an allergy to antibiotics. Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or trouble breathing at any time while you're being treated with ceftaroline (Teflaro).
Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
Antibiotics, including ceftaroline (Teflaro), raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff).
This is because antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. C. diff infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening.
This type of infectious diarrhea is different than diarrhea as a possible side effect of ceftaroline (Teflaro). C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day), or bloody stools and is a medical emergency. Get medical attention right away if you experience any of these symptoms so you can be tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment.
Nervous system side effects
Risk factors: Not adjusting the ceftaroline (Teflaro) dose in people with kidney problems
Although rare, some people who were treated with ceftaroline (Teflaro) reported serious nervous system side effects, such as confusion and seizures. While these side effects can happen to anyone, people with kidney problems are at higher risk, especially if their ceftaroline (Teflaro) dose isn't appropriately adjusted. Call 911 or call the nurse if you or your loved ones notice any of these side effects. Nervous system side effects from ceftaroline (Teflaro) usually go away after stopping the medication.
Development of drug-resistant bacteria
Your provider will monitor your treatment with ceftaroline (Teflaro) to make sure you're taking the antibiotic for the appropriate infection and amount of time. Using ceftaroline (Teflaro) for any shorter or longer periods of time or taking the antibiotic for other illnesses can raise your risk for developing infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This raises your risk for severe and life-threatening infections that might be hard to treat.
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) is given as an infusion into the veins, also known as an intravenous (IV) infusion, over 5 to 60 minutes.
Age 18 years and older: The typical dose is 600 mg IV every 12 hours. Treatment typically lasts for 5 to 7 days (for pneumonia) or for 5 to 14 days (for skin infections).
Age 2 years to under 18 years
Weigh more than 73 pounds (33 kg): The typical dose is 400 mg given IV every 8 hours, or 600 mg given IV every 12 hours. Treatment typically lasts for 5 to 14 days.
Weigh 73 pounds (33 kg) or less: The typical dose is 12 mg/kg of weight given IV every 8 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Age 2 months to under 2 years: The typical dose is 8 mg/kg of weight given IV every 8 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Age under 2 months: The typical dose is 6 mg/kg of weight given IV every 8 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Your dose will differ if you have kidney problems.
Interactions between Ceftaroline (Teflaro) and other drugs
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.
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) contraindications
Allergy to other cephalosporin antibiotics
What are alternatives to Ceftaroline (Teflaro)?
Bloodstream infection (septicemia)
Heart infection (infective endocarditis)
Skin infections
Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
Lung infections (lower respiratory tract infections)
Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
Bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph")
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) images
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References
Best studies we foundAllergan, Inc. (2021). Teflaro- ceftaroline fosamil powder, for solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bush, L. M. (2023). Enterococcal infections. Merck Manual Consumer Version.
Bush, L. M. (2024). Pseudomonas infections. Merck Manual Consumer Version.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Haemophilus influenzae disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Escherichia coli infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) basics.
Chang, D., et al. (2021). Clinical epidemiology, risk factors, and control strategies of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. Frontiers in Microbiology.
Chaudhry, S. B., et al. (2019). Cephalosporins: A focus on side chains and β-lactam cross-reactivity. Pharmacy.Â
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). (2020). Ceftaroline. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Duplessis, C., et al. (2011). Ceftaroline: A new cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics.
Duplessis, C., et al. (2011). Ceftaroline: A New cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics.
Martin, T. C. S., et al. (2020). Ceftaroline-associated encephalopathy in patients with severe renal impairment. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Norris, A. H., et al. (2018). 2018 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Pandey, N., et al. (2023). Beta-lactam antibiotics. StatPearls.
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