Ceftriaxone
About
Ceftriaxone belongs to the group of cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections of the brain, lungs, middle ear, abdomen, urinary tract, kidneys, bones, joints, skin, soft tissues, blood, heart, chest, lime disease (caused by tick bites), and gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted disease). Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body.
Ceftriaxone contains 'Ceftriaxone', which works by interfering with the formation of bacterial cell wall, thereby kills the bacteria. Thus, Ceftriaxone helps in treating bacterial infection.
In some cases, Ceftriaxone may cause side-effects such as diarrhoea, rashes, changes in results of blood and liver tests, and abnormalities (increase/decrease) in the number of white blood cells and platelets. Although not everybody experiences these side effects, if they occur consult your doctor.
Talk to your doctor before taking Ceftriaxone if you have/had received calcium-containing products recently, had diarrhoea after taking antibiotics, inflammation of the bowel, kidney stones, or any other illness. Do not take antacids along with Ceftriaxone; maintain a gap of 2-3 hours between both. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ceftriaxone may cause dizziness, so be cautious while driving. Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side-effects.
Uses of Ceftriaxone
Medicinal Benefits
Ceftriaxone belongs to the group of antibiotic medicines called cephalosporins used to treat bacterial infections of the brain, lungs, middle ear, abdomen, urinary tract, kidneys, bones, joints, skin, soft tissues, blood, heart, chest, lime disease (caused by tick bites), and gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted disease). Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, aerobic and some anaerobic bacteria. Ceftriaxone works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby, kills the bacteria and helps in treating and preventing the spread of infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ceftriaxone
- Diarrhoea
- Rashes
- Changes in results of blood and liver tests
- Abnormalities (increase/decrease) in the number of white blood cells and platelets
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before starting Ceftriaxone, please inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Ceftriaxone or against any antibiotic. Talk to your doctor if you have/had received calcium-containing products recently, had diarrhoea after taking antibiotics, inflammation of the bowel, kidney stones, or any other illness. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Ceftriaxone to prevent unpleasant side effects. Ceftriaxone may cause dizziness, so be cautious while driving. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side-effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ceftriaxone may interact with a diuretic (furosemide) and antibiotic (chloramphenicol).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have colitis (inflammation in the lining of the colon), hyperbilirubinemia (excess bilirubin in the blood), gall bladder disease, pancreatitis, seizures, kidney or liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while taking Ceftriaxone to prevent unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe Ceftriaxone only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Ceftriaxone only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionCeftriaxone may cause dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or if you have liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
safe if prescribedCeftriaxone is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor. Ceftriaxone is not recommended for a premature baby, or a newborn baby who has jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach, which help in digestion. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and usage of tobacco.
Special Advise
- Ceftriaxone might affect the result of diagnostic tests like Coombs’ test (a test for some blood problems), galactosaemia (an abnormal build-up of the sugar galactose), and glucose tests. So tell your doctor that you are taking Ceftriaxone before undergoing these tests.
- Ceftriaxone must not be mixed or administered simultaneously with calcium-containing solutions, including total parenteral nutrition.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. Harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and cause illness. They can target any body part and multiply very quickly. Symptoms include fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Ceftriaxone works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby, kills the bacteria and helps in treating and preventing the spread of infections.
Ceftriaxone may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and omit driving and operating machinery if you experience dizziness.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Ceftriaxone. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Ceftriaxone may affect the results of urine tests for sugar and blood test known as coomb’s test (antiglobulin test). Inform the person performing the tests that you are taking Ceftriaxone.
Do not take antacids along with Ceftriaxone; maintain a gap of 2-3 hours between both. However, consult your doctor before taking other medicines while on treatment with Ceftriaxone.
