Ceftriaxone

To treat bacterial infections, the recommended dose and dosing schedule of ceftriaxone varies according to the specific infection being treated, the response to therapy, and other medications or treatments being used. The dose administered is also based on age, body size, and kidney and liver function. For moderate to severe infections in adults, the dose ranges from 1 g to 2 g daily given once every 24 hours or divided into 2 equal doses and given every 12 hours.

For uncomplicated gonorrhea in adults, one dose of 250 mg is injected into a muscle.

For children 12 years of age and under, the dose is based on body weight and is given every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose for adults and children is 4 g. The duration of treatment depends on the type of infection and usually ranges from 4 to 14 days. Some infections require only one dose while others require treatment for several weeks.

Ceftriaxone is injected into a vein or into a muscle by a health care professional under the supervision of your doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Ceftriaxone exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Store Ceftriaxone (as unmixed vials) at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause diarrhea; it may cause redness and swelling at the injection site. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

250 mg
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 250 mg. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

1 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 1 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

2 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 2 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

10 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 10 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

Do not use Ceftriaxone if you:

• are allergic to ceftriaxone or any ingredients of Ceftriaxone
• are allergic to other cephalosporins (e.g., Cephalexin) or penicillins (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin)
  • the risk of developing a reaction to ceftriaxone given a history of cephalosporin or penicillin allergy is relatively low, but check with your health care provider before starting treatment

Do not give Ceftriaxone to a newborn or premature infant who has high amounts of bilirubin in their blood.

Do not give Ceftriaxone to a newborn who is receiving (or expected to receive) calcium-containing intravenous solutions (calcium-containing solutions should not be given within 5 days of ceftriaxone in infants up to 10 weeks of age).

There may be an interaction between ceftriaxone and any of the following:

• anticoagulant medications (e.g., Warfarin)
• solutions injected into a vein that contain calcium
• typhoid vaccine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ceftriaxone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ceftriaxone.

Allergic reactions: Ceftriaxone can cause severe allergic reactions. If you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat), get immediate medical attention.

Anemia: Although rare, certain drugs can cause a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, where people have low red blood cells due to premature destruction of this type of blood cell. If you have a history of cephalosporin-related hemolytic anemia, you should talk to your doctor before starting treatment.

Blood tests: Depending on various factors, including how long you will be receiving treatment, your doctor may order blood tests while you are taking ceftriaxone.

Calcium-containing solutions: The interaction with calcium-containing solutions has only been reported for newborns. For all other people, ceftriaxone can be administered before or after calcium-containing solutions provided that the infusion lines are flushed well in between the solutions. In newborns, calcium-containing solutions should not be given within 5 days for infants up to 10 weeks of age.

Gallbladder disease: If you have gallbladder disease, discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney problems: Ceftriaxone may cause Kidney Stones. If you have high calcium levels in your urine or a history of kidney stones, discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low vitamin K: People with impaired vitamin K synthesis or low vitamin K stores (e.g., chronic liver disease and malnutrition) may require monitoring of blood clotting during treatment, as ceftriaxone may decrease clotting ability.

Overgrowth of organisms: Treatment with this antibiotic may allow normal fungus or types of bacteria not killed by the antibiotic to overgrow, causing unwanted infections.

Stomach and bowel disorders: If you have stomach and bowel problems (especially colitis), discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Ceftriaxone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ceftriaxone, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Ceftriaxone passes into breast milk in small amounts. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking ceftriaxone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Newborn and premature infants (up to the age of 10 weeks) should not receive calcium-containing solutions within 5 days of receiving ceftriaxone.

This drug can, on occasion, be administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a doctor or a nurse, but can also be used at home. If you are taking this drug at home, make sure that the health care facility overseeing your treatment has provided you with all the necessary information regarding its administration. It is very important that you comply with the directions for use to fully benefit from the effects of this drug and to limit any adverse reactions.