Ceftriaxone

Description

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections affecting the lungs, throat, ears, heart, skin, urinary tract, etc. This medicine kills or stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. Ceftriaxone is not effective against infections caused by viruses. Your doctor may advise Ceftriaxone alone or in combination with other medications to treat bacterial infections. Ceftriaxone shows side effects that include diarrhoea, pain at the injection site, rashes and alteration of the results of the liver function test. Do not use this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. Contact your doctor if any side effects are seen for a longer period of time. It is one of the effective antibiotics given to infants, children and adults. Ceftriaxone should not be taken on your own. It is injected into your vein or muscle by your doctor in a hospital or clinic. Your doctor will determine the dose you need each day and how often the injections should be given. Ceftriaxone may interact with calcium-containing products. Hence, consult your doctor about the use of Ceftriaxone if you are receiving calcium products. Complete the course of treatment with Ceftriaxone, as stopping it abruptly can lead to antibiotic resistance. This can cause your symptoms to return.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Ceftriaxone

  • Black or tarry stools
  • Chills
  • Difficulty or painful urination
  • Headache
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Dizziness
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Weakness
  • Excessive air or gas in stomach
  • Pain at the injection site
  • Rash
  • Abnormal liver function test

Uses of Ceftriaxone

What is it prescribed for?

  • Bacterial Meningitis
  • Bacterial Septicemia
  • Gonorrhoea
  • Urinary Tract Infection
  • Community-Acquired Pneumonia
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Acute bacterial otitis media
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Intra-abdominal Infections
  • Bacteremia
  • Bronchitis
  • Bacterial endocarditis
  • Lyme disease
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of Ceftriaxone starts immediately after taking the injection.
  • Duration of effect
    Ceftriaxone may remain in the body for up to 48 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Ceftriaxone.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Ceftriaxone may be safe to use in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. Animal studies indicate no risk to the foetus; however, data on human studies are not available. Therefore, use Ceftriaxone only upon your doctor's recommendation.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Ceftriaxone may be passed into human milk in a low amount. Hence, it should only be used only if your doctor prescribes it. If you are using this medicine while breastfeeding, then observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea.

Allergy

Avoid using Ceftriaxone if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is any history of allergy to Ceftriaxone. If you notice any symptoms such as skin rashes, itching/swelling, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc., inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.

Lidocaine

Ceftriaxone should not be used with lidocaine as a solvent for intravenous injection or infusion. However, lidocaine can be used as a solvent for the intramuscular route of injection for this medicine, despite contraindications.

Calcium-containing products

Ceftriaxone should not be used in neonates (babies ≤ 28 days) who are receiving calcium-containing intravenous solutions or infusions such as parenteral nutrition because of the risk of accumulation of this medicine with calcium in the lungs and kidneys.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Ceftriaxone may be safe to use in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. Animal studies indicate no risk to the foetus; however, data on human studies are not available. Therefore, use Ceftriaxone only upon your doctor's recommendation.

Breast-feeding

Ceftriaxone may be passed into human milk in a low amount. Hence, it should only be used only if your doctor prescribes it. If you are using this medicine while breastfeeding, then observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea.
General warnings

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the medicine that was intended to kill them. Hence, to avoid such resistance, you should always complete the entire course of treatment with Ceftriaxone even if you feel better after a few doses.

Diarrhoea

Ceftriaxone can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Inform your doctor if you experience severe diarrhoea while receiving this medicine.

Haemolytic anaemia

Haemolytic anaemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made in the body. Haemolytic anaemia due to immune activity has been observed in people receiving Ceftriaxone. Your doctor will suggest tests to closely monitor your haemoglobin levels. Consult your doctor in case you experience symptoms of anaemia like breathlessness on exertion, fast heartbeat, fatigue and dizziness.

Driving or operating machines

Ceftriaxone may cause side effects such as dizziness. Thus, it may affect your ability to drive vehicles or operate machines.

Missed Dose

Since Ceftriaxone is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.

Overdose

Since Ceftriaxone is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Amikacin

Furosemide

Probenecid

Cholera Vaccine (live)

Disease interactions

Colitis

Colitis is the inflammation of the large intestine. Ceftriaxone can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and lead to diarrhoea. Therefore, use Ceftriaxone with extreme caution if you have any stomach and intestinal problems, particularly colitis, as it may worsen your health condition.

Seizure disorders

Seizure disorder(fits) is a condition due to uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells that causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone and movements, behaviour, etc. Avoid using Ceftriaxone or maintain caution if you have any history of seizure episodes, as it can trigger the condition. Your doctor will adjust the doses or suggest a suitable replacement as required.

Impaired kidney function

Ceftriaxone is filtered by the kidney and moved out of the body through urine. If you have any medical conditions that affect the kidneys, Ceftriaxone has to be taken with caution due to the increased risk of kidney damage.

Impaired liver function

Ceftriaxone may increase liver enzyme levels and cause liver swelling. Hence, maintain caution during treatment with Ceftriaxone due to the risk of liver damage.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Ceftriaxone is for parenteral use. It should be given by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Your doctor will determine an appropriate dosage based on your clinical condition. You should not take Ceftriaxone on your own. Report any undesirable side effects to your doctor promptly.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Ceftriaxone works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of bacteria and eventually kills them.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Third generation cephalosporins, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H1

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Ceftriaxone for Injection, USP. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2dd1be9e-74cc-48e8-bf02-f34a78d80fda>

Drugs, H., 2021. Ceftriaxone Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a685032.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Ceftriaxone 1 g powder for solution for injection or infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10604/smpc>

Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Ceftriaxone | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 February 2021].

https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01212>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/065169s022lbl.pdf>

Labeling.pfizer.com. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=7378>

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Information on this page was last updated on 14 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.