New antibiotic fights even resistant bacteria in lungs and skin
A new big gun in antibiotic therapy may have slipped under the radar of the news media. Ceftaroline (Teflaro brand) was approved by the FDA and should be moving into hospitals in January.
The drug is interesting and valuable as it is now approved for complicated skin and skin structure infections (CSSSI)--including those caused by resistant staph called MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)--a bacteria that is historically difficult to treat.
Some of the added value of Teflaro comes from that fact that it is also approved to treat Community Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), and is does not activate enzymes that other drugs use to get out of the body (NOT an inhibitor or inducer of CYP 450)--so it looks like it is unlikely to cause significant drug interactions with those widely used enzymes. Additionally, the safety profile (hightened recently at FDA) shows diarrhea, nausea and rash. The Advisory panel voted 18 to 0 for use in CSSI and 21 to 0 for use in CABP.
This is the first 5th generation cephalosporin antibiotic and while it is an intravenous injection, it may replace some existing combination therapy and certainly will save lives.
Approval Date:
Fri, 10/29/2010
Company:
Cerexa, Forrest Laboratories