Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Rocephin

Descriptions

Ceftriaxone is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine is also given before certain types of surgery to prevent infections.

Ceftriaxone belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftriaxone in children. Because of ceftriaxone's toxicity, use in newborn and premature babies is not recommended.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftriaxone in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Calcium Acetate
• Calcium Chloride
• Calcium Gluceptate
• Calcium Gluconate
• Lactated Ringer's Solution
• Ringer's Solution

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Warfarin

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Diarrhea or
• Gallbladder disease or
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or
• Stomach or bowel disease (e.g., colitis), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Hyperbilirubinemia (high bilirubin in the blood)—Should not be used in newborn (less than 28 days of age) and premature infants with this condition.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Liver disease, severe or
• Undernourished condition—May be worsened by ceftriaxone and you may need to take Vitamin K.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles or through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have itching; hives; hoarseness; shortness of breath; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

Ceftriaxone may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes calcium-containing solutions for injection, prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Black, tarry stools
2. chest pain
3. chills
4. cough
5. fever
6. painful or difficult urination
7. shortness of breath
8. sore throat
9. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
10. swollen glands
11. unusual bleeding or bruising
12. unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

1. Diarrhea

Rare

1. Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
2. back, leg, or stomach pains
3. bleeding gums
4. bloating
5. blood in the urine or stools
6. bloody nose
7. bluish color
8. changes in skin color
9. clay-colored stools
10. convulsions
11. cough or hoarseness
12. dark urine
13. diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
14. difficulty with breathing
15. difficulty with swallowing
16. dizziness
17. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
18. feeling of discomfort
19. feeling of warmth
20. fever with or without chills
21. general body swelling
22. general feeling of tiredness or weakness
23. headache
24. hives
25. increased sweating
26. increased thirst
27. inflammation of the joints
28. itching
29. loss of appetite
30. lower back or side pain
31. muscle aches
32. nausea or vomiting
33. noisy breathing
34. nosebleeds
35. pain
36. pale skin
37. pinpoint red spots on the skin
38. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
39. rash
40. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
41. shortness of breath
42. skin rash
43. swelling of the foot or leg
44. swollen lymph glands
45. tenderness
46. tightness in the chest
47. troubled breathing with exertion
48. unpleasant breath odor
49. unusual weight loss
50. vomiting of blood
51. watery or bloody diarrhea
52. wheezing
53. yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
2. chest pain
3. coughing up blood
4. decrease in the amount of urine
5. excessive muscle tone
6. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
7. muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness
8. nosebleeds
9. paralysis
10. prolonged bleeding from cuts
11. red irritated eyes
12. red or black, tarry stools
13. red or dark brown urine
14. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
15. restlessness
16. skin rash with a general disease
17. swelling
18. trouble sitting still
19. unpleasant breath odor

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

1. Acid or sour stomach
2. belching
3. bloated
4. change in taste
5. dizziness
6. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
7. full feeling
8. headache
9. heartburn
10. indigestion
11. itching of the vagina or genital area
12. loss of taste
13. pain during sexual intercourse
14. passing gas
15. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
16. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Incidence not known

1. Hives or welts
2. redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
3. swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/drugs-supplements/ceftriaxone-injection-route/before-using/drg-20073123