Ceftaroline
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- ceftaroline
- Brand names
- TEFARO
- Drug class
- Cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration
- Form
- Single-dose vials (400 mg and 600 mg) requiring constitution and dilution
- Route
- Intravenous infusion
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What ceftaroline is and how it works
Ceftaroline is an intravenous cephalosporin antibiotic used for the treatment of certain bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms, including acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. (1)
Approved uses and ages differ by country; in the United States, the label covers adult and paediatric populations. Treatment requires clinician-directed dosing and renal adjustment. The supplied research notes are based on the US label and may not reflect other regions.
Mechanism of action: how ceftaroline works
Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin antibiotic with bactericidal activity against susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It binds to penicillin-binding proteins, inhibiting cell wall synthesis. (1)
What ceftaroline is used for
Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections
Ceftaroline is indicated for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria in adults and paediatric patients as specified in the label. (1)
Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia
Ceftaroline is indicated for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria in adults and paediatric patients as per the label. (1)
Before taking ceftaroline
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not receive ceftaroline if you have a known serious hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to ceftaroline, any other cephalosporin antibiotic, or any ingredient in the product. A clinician must evaluate the exact nature of prior reactions. (all products) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any previous allergic reaction to ceftaroline, other cephalosporins, penicillins, or other antibiotics.
- Current kidney function or any kidney disease, as dose adjustment is needed.
- Any history of colitis or diarrhoea following antibiotic use.
- Any neurological conditions, especially if you have kidney impairment.
- A history of anaemia or a positive direct Coombs test.
- All medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
How to take ceftaroline
- Ceftaroline is administered by intravenous infusion under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The dose, frequency, and duration are determined by the prescriber based on the infection type, patient weight, age, and kidney function.
- Do not change the infusion schedule or stop treatment early without medical advice.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
Follow the exact product instructions and do not double a dose.
Overdose
Seek urgent poison-information or emergency advice.
Side effects
Side effects can include allergic reactions, diarrhoea, and rare serious conditions. The research notes highlight the following serious reactions from the label.
Common side effects not detailed in the research notes
What to notice: Unspecified; refer to the full prescribing information.
What to do: Report any new or worsening symptoms to the treating clinician. (1)
Serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or severe skin reaction
What to notice: Rash, itching, swelling of face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, severe skin peeling or blistering.
What to do: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. The clinician will decide whether to continue or stop ceftaroline. (1)
C. difficile-associated diarrhoea
What to notice: Severe, persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, possibly bloody stools.
What to do: Contact the clinician promptly. Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medicines without medical advice. (1)
Neurologic reactions, including seizures (especially in patients with renal impairment)
What to notice: Seizures, confusion, muscle twitching, or other unusual neurological symptoms.
What to do: Seek immediate medical evaluation. The clinician will adjust dose or discontinue as appropriate. (1)
Haemolytic anaemia (positive direct Coombs test)
What to notice: Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dark urine, jaundice.
What to do: Contact the clinician promptly for evaluation. The clinician may decide to discontinue the medicine. (1)
Serious warnings
Anaphylaxis — emergency
Symptoms: Rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint.
Action: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. The treating clinician will decide whether to continue or stop ceftaroline. (1)
Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) — emergency
Symptoms: Severe skin rash, blistering, peeling, or sores involving the skin, mouth, eyes, or genitals.
Action: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. The clinician will assess whether to discontinue ceftaroline. (1)
C. difficile-associated diarrhoea — urgent
Symptoms: Severe, persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, possibly bloody stools.
Action: Contact the clinician promptly. Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medicines without medical advice. (1)
Neurologic reactions including seizures — emergency
Symptoms: Seizures, confusion, muscle twitching, or other neurological changes, especially in patients with kidney impairment.
Action: Seek emergency medical attention. The clinician will adjust dose or discontinue as appropriate. (1)
Haemolytic anaemia — urgent
Symptoms: Unexplained fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dark urine, jaundice.
Action: Contact the clinician promptly for evaluation. The clinician may decide to discontinue the medicine. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| No specific interaction established by CPT-DM-2024 in this evidence pack | This does not mean none exist. Give the prescriber or pharmacist a complete list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements before treatment. | Provide full medication list to the treating clinician for review. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children and adolescents
Paediatric use is covered in the US label for specified ages and indications. Dosing is weight-based and clinician-directed. (1)
Renal impairment
Ceftaroline dose adjustment is necessary in patients with reduced kidney function. The label contains specific dosing tables. Neurologic side effects, including seizures, may occur more frequently in patients with renal impairment. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Assess renal function, history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins or penicillins, and any history of colitis.
- Confirm the bacterial infection and susceptibility where possible.
- Review all concurrent medicines.
During treatment
- Monitor for signs of allergic reaction, diarrhoea, neurological symptoms, and signs of anaemia.
- Renal function should be monitored as clinically indicated.
- Reassess the need for continued antibiotic therapy and the emergence of resistance.
Storage
The research notes do not provide detailed storage instructions. Refer to the full prescribing information for storage, reconstitution, and stability guidelines. Ceftaroline vials require constitution and dilution; the resulting solution must be used within a specified time under appropriate conditions.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local label and guidelines.
All regions
Indication: Any ceftaroline use
Dose summary: Dosing is based on infection type, age, weight, and renal function. The US label provides specific dosing tables for adults and paediatric patients. No universal dose is displayed.
Renal context: Renal adjustment is required; refer to the product label for creatinine clearance-based dosing. Neurologic events are more common in patients with renal impairment. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Can ceftaroline cause allergic reactions?
Yes, serious allergic reactions can occur. Seek emergency help if you experience symptoms like rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. The clinician will then decide whether to continue or stop treatment. (1)
Can ceftaroline cause diarrhoea?
Yes, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea can occur, including severe C. difficile colitis. Contact your doctor if you have severe or persistent diarrhoea. (1)
Is ceftaroline safe for people with kidney problems?
Dose adjustment is necessary for patients with reduced kidney function, and there is a higher risk of neurological side effects, including seizures. The prescribing clinician will adjust the dose accordingly. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of ceftaroline?
Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin antibiotic with bactericidal activity against susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It binds to penicillin-binding proteins, inhibiting cell wall synthesis. (1)
What is the generic name of Ceftaroline?
The generic name is ceftaroline. It is sold under brand names including TEFARO. (1)
What class of drug is ceftaroline?
Ceftaroline is classed as: Cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration. (1)
References
- TEFLARO (ceftaroline fosamil) injection, powder, for solution — prescribing informationU.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · United States · dated 2024-11-20 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
- CEFTAROLINE FOSAMIL INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION [APOTEX CORP.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- Ceftaroline Fosamil — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA208075)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- ceftaroline — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1040005)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient ceftaroline names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Ceftaroline Fosamil400 mg/20mL, 600 mg/20mL · apotex corp.
- Teflaro400 mg/20mL, 600 mg/20mL · allergan, inc.