Pronunciation:

sef-trye-AX-one

Brand Names:

• Rocephin

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

3rd Generation Cephalosporin

Uses of This Medicine:

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.

Before Using This Medicine:

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.

Children—

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.

Older adults—

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

Breast-feeding—

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

Other medicines—

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
• 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 of This Medicine:

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 While Using This Medicine:

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 of This Medicine:

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

Black, tarry stools

chest pain

chills

cough

fever

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Diarrhea

Rare

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding gums

bloating

blood in the urine or stools

bloody nose

bluish color

changes in skin color

clay-colored stools

convulsions

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling of discomfort

feeling of warmth

fever with or without chills

general body swelling

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hives

increased sweating

increased thirst

inflammation of the joints

itching

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle aches

nausea or vomiting

noisy breathing

nosebleeds

pain

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

shortness of breath

skin rash

swelling of the foot or leg

swollen lymph glands

tenderness

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing with exertion

unpleasant breath odor

unusual weight loss

vomiting of blood

watery or bloody diarrhea

wheezing

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chest pain

coughing up blood

decrease in the amount of urine

excessive muscle tone

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness

nosebleeds

paralysis

prolonged bleeding from cuts

red irritated eyes

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

restlessness

skin rash with a general disease

swelling

trouble sitting still

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

Acid or sour stomach

belching

bloated

change in taste

dizziness

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

full feeling

headache

heartburn

indigestion

itching of the vagina or genital area

loss of taste

pain during sexual intercourse

passing gas

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Incidence not known

Hives or welts

redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue

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.