UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Ceftaroline, a fifth generation cephalosporin

Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Keywords: MRSA, antibiotic, pneumonia, CAP, cephalosporin, infection (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/5/2012 by Ellen Lemkin, MD, PharmD
Click here to contact Ellen Lemkin, MD, PharmD

“Fifth generation” cephalosporin- implies activity against MRSA, although has broad spectrum
Resistance is expected to be limited, with the exception of VRE, and VSE (vanco resistant or sensitive enterococcus faecalis)
Renally excreted
Common side effects: diarrhea, nausea, headache
Serious side effects: anaphylaxis, renal failure, hepatitis, seizure
Low incidence of C. difficile
Dose : 600 mg IV (over 1 hour) q12 hours X 5-7 days