Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Ceftriaxone Injection, USP
What is Ceftriaxone Injection, USP used for?
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP is used to treat infections of the:
- brain (meningitis)
- lungs
- abdomen and abdominal wall (peritonitis)
- urinary tract including kidneys
- bones and joints
- skin or soft tissues
- blood
- heart
It is also used:
- to treat gonorrhoea which is a sexually transmitted infection
- to treat bronchitis which is an infection of the chest
- to prevent infections during surgery
Antibacterial drugs like Ceftriaxone Injection, USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
How does Ceftriaxone Injection, USP work?
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It does this by preventing them from making their cell walls.
What are the ingredients in Ceftriaxone Injection, USP?
Medicinal ingredients: ceftriaxone sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: dextrose, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and water for injection
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP comes in the following dosage forms:
- Solution. 1000 mg / 50 mL and 2000 mg / 50 mL ceftriaxone (as ceftriaxone sodium) in single dose GALAXY containers
Do not use Ceftriaxone Injection, USP if you:
- are allergic to ceftriaxone sodium or any component of the container, other cephalosporins, or penicillins.
- Ceftriaxone Injection, USP should not be given to newborn babies with certain health conditions.
- Ceftriaxone Injection, USP should not be given along with intravenous (into a vein) solutions that contain calcium.
Talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given Ceftriaxone Injection, USP if you:
- have had an allergic reaction in the past, including to a medicine
- have or have had asthma
- have had a condition called hemolytic anemia (loss of red blood cells) after taking an antibiotic
- have kidney problems
- have liver problems
- have or have had gastrointestinal disease (diseases of the stomach or bowels) including colitis (inflammation of the bowels)
- are on a low sodium diet
are pregnant
- are breastfeeding
Other warnings you should know about:
Secondary infections
If you develop new symptoms while you are receiving Ceftriaxone Injection, USP, talk to your healthcare professional since you may have a second infection.
Other medicines and your kidneys
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other medicines before you receive Ceftriaxone Injection, USP. It can interact with other medicines that have an effect on your kidneys.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take Ceftriaxone Injection, USP:
- Ceftriaxone Injection, USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional
It will be given in one of the following ways:
- as an infusion through a small tube into one of your veins
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, Ceftriaxone Injection, USP should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of Ceftriaxone Injection, USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Ceftriaxone Injection, USP (resistance). This means that Ceftriaxone Injection, USP may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual dose:
- Your healthcare professional will decide how much Ceftriaxone Injection, USP you will receive and for how long you will receive it.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Ceftriaxone Injection, USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
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What are possible side effects from using Ceftriaxone Injection, USP?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Ceftriaxone Injection, USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
Common:
- diarrhea
- pain or tenderness at the injection site
Uncommon:
- nausea
- vomiting
- altered sense of taste
- dizziness
- headache
- sweating
- malaise
- hot flashes
- swelling of the hands or feet
- tingling, prickling or numbness of the hands or feet
- impaired coordination
Rare:
- stomach pain and cramps
- passing gas
- heartburn
- burning tongue
- nose bleed
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Anaphylactic reactions (allergic reactions): difficulty breathing, fever, hives, itching, rash, swelling of your tongue or throat | ✓ | ||
| Anemia (decreased red blood cells): dizziness, fatigue, loss of energy, shortness of breath, weakness | ✓ | ||
| Oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth): bad taste in the mouth, creamy white bumps on the tongue, cheeks, gums or throat that bleed when scraped, pain, trouble swallowing | ✓ | ||
| Fever or chills | ✓ | ||
| Phlebitis (swelling of a vein): pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of a body area | ✓ | ||
| Skin reaction: Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforma: blistering, hives, itching blistering, inflamed, peeling, red and dying skin and severe rash | ✓ | ||
| Infection of the vagina, including yeast infection: burning during intercourse or urination, discharge, pain, redness, swelling, vaginal itching | ✓ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Neutropenia (decreased white blood cells): aches, bleeding gums, feeling tired, fever, flu-like symptoms, infections, sore mouth and gums, mouth ulcer, rash | ✓ | ||
| Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness | ✓ | ||
| Kidney problems: abdominal or back pain, changes in your urine, confusion, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, swelling, weakness. | ✓ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Liver problems: abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). | ✓ | ||
| Palpitations | ✓ | ||
| Mouth sores | ✓ | ||
| Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets in the blood): bleeding, bruising, fatigue, weakness. | ✓ | ||
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
| ✓ | ||
| Encephalopathy (brain dysfunction): agitation, change in mental state, confusion, difficulty thinking, disorientation, going in and out of consciousness, hallucinations, sudden involuntary muscle jerks, tremors or twitches | ✓ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
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| NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
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Storage:
- Store at or below -20°C to -25°C.
- Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Ceftriaxone Injection, USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug- products/drug-product-database.html), the manufacturer’s website https://www.baxter.ca or by calling 1-888-719-9955.