Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone at a glance
Medicine class
Third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
How it is given
By intravenous injection or infusion, or deep intramuscular injection
Food
It is not taken by mouth, so meals do not affect its administration.
Important compatibility issue
Intravenous ceftriaxone must not be mixed or given simultaneously with calcium-containing intravenous solutions.
What is Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone used for?
Licensed uses include treating susceptible bacterial infections and selected preventive use around surgery.
Bacterial meningitis
Community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia
Acute otitis media
Intra-abdominal infection
Complicated urinary tract infection, including pyelonephritis
Bone and joint infection
Complicated skin and soft-tissue infection
Gonorrhoea and syphilis
Bacterial endocarditis
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults
Disseminated Lyme borreliosis
Suspected bacterial infection with fever in neutropenia
How does Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone work?
Ceftriaxone blocks construction of the bacterial cell wall, causing susceptible bacteria to die. Resistance can involve beta-lactamases, altered binding proteins, reduced bacterial entry or efflux mechanisms.
Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 1 g, 2 g
How to take Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is normally prepared and administered by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Selected patients may administer intravenous treatment at home after assessment, training and continuing support.
Do not swallow the powder or prepared solution.
A solution prepared with lidocaine is for intramuscular use only and must never be injected into a vein.
Do not mix it with calcium-containing intravenous fluids or unapproved medicines.
Follow the aseptic preparation and line-care instructions supplied by the treating service.
Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Rash
- Changes in white blood cells or platelets
- Raised liver enzymes
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread rash
- Antibiotic-associated colitis, especially bloody diarrhoea with pain or fever
- Haemolytic anaemia or severe blood-cell abnormalities
- Seizures, reduced consciousness or other features of encephalopathy
- Pancreatitis, gallbladder precipitation or kidney precipitation
- Very low urine output or acute kidney problems
Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone in pregnancy
Ceftriaxone crosses the placenta, but most studies of cephalosporins have not shown harm to the baby. The prescriber should balance limited medicine-specific data, particularly in early pregnancy, against the risks of inadequately treated infection.
Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone while breastfeeding
Only low concentrations enter breast milk, and adverse effects are not generally expected. Discuss treatment with the prescriber, particularly for a premature or unwell infant, and watch for diarrhoea, oral thrush, other fungal infection or sensitivity.
Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone interactions
Check prescribed medicines, infusions and parenteral nutrition before administration.
Calcium-containing intravenous solutions or parenteral nutrition
Mixing or simultaneous intravenous administration can form dangerous ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates; neonates have additional contraindications.
Vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants
Anticoagulant effects and bleeding risk may increase, requiring closer INR monitoring.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
Potential additive kidney toxicity means renal function and aminoglycoside concentrations should be monitored where appropriate.
Common questions about Hydrated disodium ceftriaxone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is hydrated disodium ceftriaxone the same as ceftriaxone?
It is the hydrated disodium salt used to supply the active antibiotic ceftriaxone in this injectable product.
Is ceftriaxone a penicillin?
No. It is a cephalosporin, although both belong to the beta-lactam antibiotic family.
Can ceftriaxone be taken by mouth?
No. This formulation must be prepared and given into a vein or muscle.
Can ceftriaxone be self-administered at home?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.