• Basic Info
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What is ceftriaxone injection?
Ceftriaxone is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Ceftriaxone injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms such as meningitis. Ceftriaxone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of ceftriaxone injection?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• fever or chills;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• swelling, pain, or irritation where the injection was given; or

• heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• headache, dizziness;

• sweating; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I use ceftriaxone injection?
Ceftriaxone is given as an injection into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, syringes, and other items used in giving the medicine. Use the medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

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What is the most important information I should know about ceftriaxone injection?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished. Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftriaxone is usually given for at least 2 days after symptoms disappear.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect ceftriaxone injection?
There may be other drugs that can interact with ceftriaxone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Ceftriaxone has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, or teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Ceftriaxone should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

Ceftriaxone is excreted into human milk in small amounts. Ceftriaxone is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering ceftriaxone to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to ceftriaxone or other cephalosporins.
• Hyperbilirubinemic neonates, especially those who are premature. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)
• Concomitant administration with calcium-containing IV solutions, including calcium-containing infusions such as parenteral nutrition, in neonates. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before using ceftriaxone injection?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as: cefaclor (Ceclor); cefadroxil (Duricef); cefdinir (Omnicef); cefditoren (Spectracef); cefixime (Suprax); cefprozil (Cefzil); cefuroxime (Ceftin); cephalexin (Keflex); and others. Before using ceftriaxone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have: kidney disease; liver disease; a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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