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Overview: Teflaro is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic used to treat certain pneumonia and skin or related tissue infections. It works by killing the bacteria causing the infection. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. Serious side effects are much less common, but can include a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea.

Uses

What is Teflaro used for?

Teflaro (ceftaroline) is an antibiotic that is commonly used for infections caused by certain bacteria (bacterial infection), such as pneumonia and skin or related tissue infections.

Teflaro may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Teflaro, which will make it not work as well.

Teflaro may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Teflaro work (mechanism of action)?

Teflaro kills certain bacteria by preventing them from being able to create their cell wall.

How is Teflaro supplied (dosage forms)?

Brand and other names

  • Teflaro

Teflaro is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store Teflaro?

Teflaro is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Teflaro?

The most common side effects of Teflaro are listed below. Side effects can vary based on age. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
  • Rash
  • Fever

There may be other side effects of Teflaro that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Teflaro?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Teflaro are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Teflaro may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Teflaro and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Teflaro. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Another Infection With Prolonged Use. Using Teflaro for a prolonged period of time may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your healthcare provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse.

Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) Problems. Teflaro can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have the following symptoms of brain or CNS problems.

  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Sleepiness
  • Confusion or slowed thinking

Seizures. Some people who have used Teflaro have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop using Teflaro and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Blood Disorders. Teflaro can cause blood disorders, such as agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia or neutropenia). Stop using Teflaro and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever, chills, or sweats
  • Sore throat
  • Cough or shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Mouth or throat sores
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Teflaro. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Teflaro. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Teflaro?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Teflaro.

  • Teflaro 
  • Ceftaroline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Teflaro.

What should I know about Teflaro before using it?

Teflaro is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Teflaro will not work for viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other non-bacterial infections. Using Teflaro or any other antibiotic when it is not needed (infections other than those caused by bacteria, or the lack of an infection in general) may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Teflaro?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Teflaro is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

  • An allergy to penicillins and/or cephalosporins
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • History of seizures
  • History of anemia

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Teflaro could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Teflaro passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Teflaro while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Teflaro?

For more information about Teflaro, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at teflaro.com or call them at 800-255-5162.

Interactions

Does Teflaro interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Teflaro and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Teflaro, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does Teflaro interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Teflaro and other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Teflaro?

If you or someone else has used too much Teflaro, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Teflaro?

Teflaro is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving Teflaro as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Teflaro, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Teflaro or other similar medicines.