Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone

Antibiotics Prescription only ATC code: J01DD04

What it is

Ceftriaxone is an injectable third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It blocks the cross-linking of the bacterial cell wall, killing bacteria as they divide, and it penetrates well into tissues including the central nervous system. It is given for bacterial infections, usually the more serious ones that need a hospital or clinic setting.

Typical dose
1–2 g
1× a day

Used for

  • Bacterial infection

What to know while taking it

It is given by injection or infusion by a health professional rather than taken at home, so timing is set by the course, not by meals. It is never mixed with intravenous calcium in the same line or infusion, because the two can form precipitates. It can increase the effect of warfarin, and it disturbs gut flora, so probiotics are separated in time from the antibiotic. Creatinine, ALT and total bilirubin may be checked, since the drug is cleared by both kidneys and bile, and the full course is completed even once the illness appears to have resolved.

When to see a doctor

Rash, hives, facial swelling or breathing difficulty after a dose suggests an allergic reaction and needs urgent care. Severe or bloody diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, right-sided abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, or a sharp drop in urine output means see a doctor.

Worth knowing

  • Finish the full course
  • Never mix with intravenous calcium

Interacts with

Markers to watch

Reference information, not medical advice. Discuss any change with your doctor.