Drug Notes

Ceftaroline (By injection)

Ceftaroline Fosamil (sef-TAR-oh-leen FOS-a-mil)

Treats certain skin infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) caused by bacteria. This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Teflaro

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is usually given every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days or until your body responds to the medicine. Each treatment usually takes at least 1 hour.
• You should receive every dose that is prescribed to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, anemia, or a history of colitis or severe diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, or penicillin.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if the diarrhea continues. Diarrhea may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Back, leg, or stomach pain, fever, swelling, headache
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Severe stomach pain, cramps, or bloating
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, pale skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting
• Mild skin rash

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017