Ceftriaxone
Description
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections
, including those affecting the brain, lungs, ears, stomach, urinary tract, joints, blood, skin, and soft tissues. It works by killing the bacteria that cause these infections, helping you recover faster and preventing the disease from spreading. Depending on your condition, it may be given as an injection, tablet, syrup, or dry syrup, and your doctor will choose the most suitable form and dose for you. Before starting Ceftriaxone, it is essential to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should also share details about any other medicines, supplements, or herbal products you are taking, as well as any existing health conditions. This helps your doctor ensure the treatment is safe and effective for you, and reduces the risk of side effects or interactions.
Uses
Ceftriaxone is used for the treatment of bacterial infection of the brain, lungs, airways, stomach, urinary tract, bone, joints, blood, skin and soft tissues.
Contraindications
When should one not use Ceftriaxone
- If you are allergic to ceftriaxone or similar medicines like antibiotics from class cephalosporin, penicillins, monobactams and carbapenems.
- It should not be used in premature babies, newborns suffering from jaundice or receiving calcium intravenously.
Side effects
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rashes
- Irregular blood cell count
- Injection site pain
Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take Ceftriaxone during pregnancy?
A:
Ceftriaxone should be taken during pregnancy only if considered essential by the doctor and potential risks justify the benefits.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take Ceftriaxone while breastfeeding?
A:
Consult a doctor before using Ceftriaxone while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk in small quantities. However, the baby should be closely monitored for the side effects such as diarrhoea, thrush or fungal infection of the mouth.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have taken Seftriaxone?
A:
Ceftriaxone may cause dizziness, thus you need to be cautious while driving.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Ceftriaxone?
A:
Avoid consuming alcohol with Ceftriaxone, as it may worsen the side effects.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- You have problems with your kidney or liver.
- You have stomach disease or you have experienced diarrhoea after taking antibiotics.
- You have inflammation or swelling in any part of your bowel.
- You are suffering from gallstones (stones in the gallbladder), anaemia (decreased red blood cells).
- You have taken any medicine or supplement containing calcium recently.
- You are on a low sodium diet.
- Before using ceftriaxone in children, let the doctor know if your child has been given a product containing calcium into their vein.
- Let the doctor or the laboratory person know that you are using Ceftriaxone while going for a lab test, as it may interfere with the lab tests.
Mode of Action
How Does It Work?
Ceftriaxone works by stopping the formation of the cell wall of the bacteria and thus killing the bacteria which causes infection.
Interactions
Interactions with other medicines
- Some medicines can affect the way ceftriaxone works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interactions.
- Especially, if you are taking medicines to treat your high blood pressure, heart problems, high/abnormal cholesterol levels or are taking blood thinners, anti-infectives, anti-diabetics, anti-asthmatics, pain killers, immunomodulatory medicines or medicines for brain-related disorders....
- Blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding. Hence, inform your doctor about it.
Content Details
WRITTEN BY
Dr. Mansi Savla
B. Pharm, PharmD
REVIEWED BY
Dr. Ritu Budania
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: In which all dosage forms is Ceftriaxone available?
A: Ceftriaxone is available in the form of tablet, syrup, injection and dry syrup.
Q: Does Ceftriaxone cause diarrhoea?
A: Ceftriaxone may cause diarrhoea as a side effect.
References
View All
- Rocephin 1g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion [Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021 [cited 18 November 2025]
- CDSCO - Ceftriaxone injection [Internet]. Cdscoonline.gov.in. 2021 [cited 18 November 2025]
- CEFBACT Injection [Internet]. CiplaMed. 2021 [cited 18 November 2025]
- Ceftriaxone [Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [cited 18 November 2025]
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Disclaimer
The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.
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