Ceftaroline Is FDA Approved for Soft-Tissue Infections and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

On October 29, 2010, the FDA announced the approval of ceftaroline (Teflaro) for treatment of acute bacterial skin and soft-tissue infections (BSSTIs) — including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults aged ≥18.

Because it can bind to penicillin-binding protein 2a, ceftaroline is unique among FDA-approved cephalosporins in having good activity against MRSA. It also has good activity against streptococci, including Streptococcus pyogenes and multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae; however, it lacks good activity against enterococci. Its gram-negative spectrum is more limited but includes CABP pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella cata…