Ceftriaxone

Pronunciation: SEF-trye-AX-one in DEX-trose
Generic Name: Ceftriaxone
Brand Name: Rocephin

Ceftriaxone is used for:

Treating bacterial infections.

Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the formation of the bacteria's cell wall so that the wall ruptures, resulting in the death of the bacteria.

Do NOT use Ceftriaxone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ceftriaxone or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin, cefprozil)


• the patient is a newborn (younger than 29 days old) with high blood bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) or jaundice


• the patient is a newborn and is receiving or is expected to receive an intravenous (IV) medicine that contains calcium

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Ceftriaxone:

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (including corn products)


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)


• if you have diarrhea, stomach or bowel problems (eg, colitis, inflammation, infection), a blood clotting problem, gallbladder disease, low vitamin K levels, poor nutrition, diabetes, or if you cannot tolerate carbohydrates


• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems


• if you are using a medicine or supplement that contains calcium

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ceftriaxone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Calcium-containing IV medicines (eg, parenteral nutrition, Ringer's solution) because severe and sometimes fatal lung and kidney problems may occur, especially in newborns


• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, or heparin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Ceftriaxone


• Certain live vaccines (BCG, oral typhoid) because Ceftriaxone may decrease their effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ceftriaxone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ceftriaxone:

Use Ceftriaxone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ceftriaxone is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Ceftriaxone at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Ceftriaxone. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Ceftriaxone is light yellow to amber in color. Do not use Ceftriaxone if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial or container is cracked or damaged in any way.


• To clear up your infection completely, use Ceftriaxone for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Ceftriaxone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ceftriaxone.

Important safety information:

• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Ceftriaxone only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• A severe and sometimes fatal type of anemia (hemolytic anemia) has been reported in patients using cephalosporin antibiotics, including Ceftriaxone. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor right away if you experience unusual tiredness or weakness, unusually pale skin, dizziness, fever or chills, severe back or stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.


• Be sure to use Ceftriaxone for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Ceftriaxone may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Ceftriaxone may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Ceftriaxone.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ceftriaxone while you are pregnant. Ceftriaxone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Ceftriaxone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Ceftriaxone:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild diarrhea; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or watery stools; dizziness; fever or chills; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe or persistent stomach or back pain with nausea and vomiting; stomach pain or cramps; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Ceftriaxone side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include muscle spasms; seizures.

Proper storage of Ceftriaxone:

Ceftriaxone is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Ceftriaxone at home, store Ceftriaxone as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Ceftriaxone, as well as needles and syringes, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Ceftriaxone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Ceftriaxone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ceftriaxone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Ceftriaxone resources

• Ceftriaxone Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ceftriaxone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ceftriaxone Drug Interactions
• Ceftriaxone Support Group
• 23 Reviews for Ceftriaxone - Add your own review/rating

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