A hospital antibiotic drip that works against MRSA
Ceftaroline fosamil
A specialist hospital antibiotic given by drip into a vein, notable for working against MRSA.
What is Ceftaroline fosamil?
Ceftaroline is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin family, given by drip into a vein in hospital. What sets it apart from most cephalosporins is that it works against MRSA, a type of bacterium resistant to many common antibiotics, as well as other bacteria that cause skin infections and some types of pneumonia. Because it is a cephalosporin, people with a serious allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins need careful assessment. As with many antibiotics, it can occasionally lead to a gut infection causing severe diarrhoea (Clostridioides difficile), which needs prompt attention.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Ceftaroline fosamil — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Ceftaroline is a specialist antibiotic in the cephalosporin family, given in hospital as a drip into a vein. It is used for certain serious bacterial infections, including some skin and soft-tissue infections and some forms of pneumonia. Its standout feature is that, unlike most other cephalosporins, it is active against MRSA, a bacterium that resists many ordinary antibiotics. It is prescribed under specialist guidance for infections where its particular range of activity is needed, and it is given and monitored by the hospital team.
How it works
Like other cephalosporins, ceftaroline kills bacteria by stopping them building the protective cell wall they need to survive. It is designed so that it can still attach to and disable the wall-building machinery in MRSA, which is what allows it to work against that resistant bacterium when most cephalosporins cannot. This broad reach, covering MRSA along with other common bacteria, is why it is chosen for particular skin infections and types of pneumonia. It is given as a drip so it reaches the infection reliably in people who are seriously unwell.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist hospital antibiotic used in the UK, given by drip into a vein, including for some infections caused by MRSA.
Practical use
How to take Ceftaroline fosamil
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Have it given as a drip into a vein by the hospital team, over the time they specify.
- Tell the team about any allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins before it is started.
- Complete the full course your team prescribes, even once you start to feel better.
- Report any new severe or persistent diarrhoea promptly, as it can signal a gut infection.
- Report any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty straight away.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Ceftaroline fosamil
Advantages
- Unusual among cephalosporins in working against MRSA, a resistant bacterium.
- Covers a useful range of bacteria for certain skin infections and types of pneumonia.
- Given as a drip so it works reliably in people who are seriously unwell.
Disadvantages
- Given only in hospital as a drip into a vein.
- Needs careful allergy assessment because of cross-reactivity with penicillins and cephalosporins.
- Like many antibiotics, can occasionally lead to a gut infection causing severe diarrhoea.
Practical use
Good to know
The headline point about ceftaroline is that it is a cephalosporin that works against MRSA, which most cephalosporins do not, making it useful for certain skin infections and types of pneumonia. It is a hospital antibiotic given by drip into a vein. Because it is a cephalosporin, allergy matters: anyone with a serious reaction to cephalosporins, or a severe reaction to penicillins, needs careful assessment first, as there can be cross-reactivity. As with many antibiotics, it can upset the balance of bacteria in the gut and occasionally lead to a gut infection (Clostridioides difficile) that causes severe diarrhoea, so any new severe or persistent diarrhoea should be reported promptly. It is generally well tolerated, and the hospital team monitors how the infection responds and watches for reactions.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to ceftaroline or other cephalosporins should not have it.
- It is used with great caution, after careful assessment, in people with a severe penicillin allergy because of possible cross-reactivity.
- It is used under specialist guidance, with attention to kidney function and to severe diarrhoea during treatment.
Monitoring
- Watching how the infection responds to treatment.
- Checking for allergic-type reactions and any reaction at the drip site.
- Watching for severe or persistent diarrhoea, which can signal a gut infection.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or a rash.
- A reaction where the drip is given.
- Less commonly, allergic-type reactions or, occasionally, severe diarrhoea linked to a gut infection (Clostridioides difficile), which needs urgent attention.
Key interactions
- Tell the team about all your medicines, although it has relatively few direct interactions.
- Allergy to other penicillins or cephalosporins is the most important thing to check before use.
- As with other antibiotics, it can disturb the balance of gut bacteria, which sometimes leads to diarrhoea.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution given as a drip into a vein.
Answers
Ceftaroline fosamil: frequently asked questions
What is ceftaroline used for?
It is a specialist hospital antibiotic, given by drip into a vein, used for certain serious infections including some skin infections and types of pneumonia, and notably it works against MRSA.
Why is it special among cephalosporins?
Unlike most other cephalosporins, ceftaroline works against MRSA, a bacterium that resists many common antibiotics, which makes it useful for certain resistant infections.
I am allergic to penicillin — can I have it?
Because ceftaroline is a cephalosporin, a serious penicillin allergy needs careful assessment first, as there can be cross-reactivity between these antibiotic families.
Why is it given as a drip in hospital?
It is used for serious infections in people who are unwell, so it is given as a drip into a vein in hospital to make sure it reaches the infection reliably.
What is the diarrhoea warning about?
Like many antibiotics, it can upset gut bacteria and occasionally lead to a gut infection (Clostridioides difficile) causing severe diarrhoea, which should be reported promptly.
The wider class
About Cephalosporin antibiotic (active against MRSA)
Ceftaroline fosamil belongs to the cephalosporin antibiotic (active against mrsa) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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