Ceftaroline fosamil (
ceftaroline) was recently approved for the treatment of community- acquired
pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin
infections. This newly developed
cephalosporin possesses a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Most importantly,
ceftaroline demonstrates potent in vitro antimicrobial activity against multi-
drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In two Phase III, double-blinded, randomized, prospective trials (FOCUS 1 and FOCUS 2),
ceftaroline was shown to be non-inferior to
ceftriaxone for the treatment of CAP in hospitalized patients.
Ceftaroline exhibits low resistance rates and a safety profile similar to that of other
cephalosporins. In this review, we will evaluate the pharmacological characteristics, safety, antimicrobial properties, and efficacy of
ceftaroline and its applications in the treatment of CAP.