The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a new injectable antibiotic, ceftaroline fosamil (Teflaro; Forest Laboratories), for treating community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections (ABSSSI), including the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin, which kills the bacteria by interfering with their cell walls.
The drug’s approval comes at a time when bacteria strains such as MRSA have gained resistance to existing antibiotics, leading to higher morbidity and mortality.
MRSA, a common pathogen in ABSSSI and CABP, has become resistant to not only methicillin, but also to more common antibiotics such as amoxicillin and penicillin.
Common adverse effects associate with the new antibiotic include diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Patients who are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics should not take this drug.
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