What is ceftriaxone?
Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Ceftriaxone 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 not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ceftriaxone?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.
Before using ceftriaxone, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, colitis or other stomach or intestinal disorder, if you are malnourished, or if you are allergic to penicillin.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.
Ceftriaxone will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using ceftriaxone?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
cefaclor (Raniclor);
cefadroxil (Duricef);
cefazolin (Ancef);
cefdinir (Omnicef);
cefditoren (Spectracef);
cefpodoxime (Vantin);
cefprozil (Cefzil);
ceftibuten (Cedax);
cefuroxime (Ceftin);
cephalexin (Keflex); or
cephradine (Velosef).
To make sure you can safely use ceftriaxone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
diabetes;
gallbladder disease;
a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
if you are malnourished; or
if you are allergic to penicillin.
FDA pregnancy category B. Ceftriaxone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Ceftriaxone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use ceftriaxone in a child without a doctor's advice, and never give more than the child's prescribed dose. Ceftriaxone should never be used in a newborn with jaundice.