ceftobiprole medocaril sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibacterial.
Licensed uses
Community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia, but not ventilator-associated pneumonia.
How it is given
Intravenous infusion prepared and given by a healthcare professional.
Age range
Licensed for adults, children, infants and term newborns. Evidence is unavailable for premature newborns.
What is ceftobiprole medocaril sodium used for?
UK-licensed uses are:
Community-acquired pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia, excluding pneumonia that develops during mechanical ventilation.
How does ceftobiprole medocaril sodium work?
The administered substance is rapidly converted in the blood to active ceftobiprole. It binds bacterial penicillin-binding proteins and disrupts cell-wall construction, killing susceptible bacteria. This includes binding PBP2a in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, although activity depends on the organism and its resistance mechanisms.
ceftobiprole medocaril sodium preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take ceftobiprole medocaril sodium
Healthcare professionals prepare and administer it as an intravenous infusion. It is not swallowed, so food does not affect administration. The powder requires reconstitution and further dilution, and staff must check the intravenous line for incompatible medicines or solutions.
Tell staff about previous reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems or other antibiotics.
Tell staff if you have kidney problems, seizures or diarrhoea before or during treatment.
Do not prepare or handle the hospital infusion yourself.
ceftobiprole medocaril sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort or indigestion.
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness or altered taste.
- Rash, itching, hives or other hypersensitivity reactions.
- Pain, redness or swelling at the infusion site.
- Fungal infection, including oral, skin or vaginal infection.
- Low blood sodium or increased liver-enzyme results.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, with facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or a severe rash.
- Severe, persistent, bloody or mucus-containing diarrhoea, which may indicate antibiotic-associated colitis.
- A seizure or convulsion.
- Signs of kidney failure, severe blood-cell disorders or unexpected worsening of anaemia.
ceftobiprole medocaril sodium in pregnancy
There are no adequate human pregnancy data specifically for ceftobiprole. The UK product information advises use only when considered strictly necessary. Studies of cephalosporins as a class are generally reassuring but do not remove the uncertainty for ceftobiprole.
ceftobiprole medocaril sodium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether ceftobiprole enters human milk. Diarrhoea, fungal infection or sensitisation in the breastfed child cannot be excluded. The clinical team should assess the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment before deciding whether either needs to pause.
ceftobiprole medocaril sodium interactions
Clinical interaction studies are limited. Important potential interactions and administration incompatibilities include:
OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 substrates, including pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, glibenclamide and bosentan
Ceftobiprole may increase their concentrations; assess the clinical significance and monitor where appropriate.
Medicines with a narrow therapeutic index
Use together cautiously because formal clinical interaction studies have not been performed.
Calcium-containing intravenous solutions
Precipitation may occur in the same intravenous line. Simultaneous mixing or administration is prohibited except with Lactated Ringer's solution as specified in the product information.
Common questions about ceftobiprole medocaril sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is ceftobiprole medocaril sodium used for?
It is licensed in the UK for community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia other than ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Is ceftobiprole medocaril sodium a penicillin?
No. It is a cephalosporin, although both cephalosporins and penicillins belong to the beta-lactam antibiotic family.
Does ceftobiprole medocaril sodium cover MRSA?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.