Ceftriaxone MEDICATION SHEET

Name &
Administration
(Generic &
brand name,
dosage, safe
dose range,
route,
frequency, rate
of admin. of IV
meds)

Mechanism of Action
(Classification, physiologic actions)

Generic
Name
Ceftriaxone

Action
Binds to the bacterial cell wall
membrane, causing cell death

Brand Name
Rocephin

Therapeutic Effect(s): Bactericidal

action against susceptible bacteria.

Spectrum:
Similar to that of secondgeneration cephalosporins, but
activity against staphylococci is
less, while activity against gramTher. Class.
negative pathogens is greater,
anti-infectives
even for organisms resistant to
first- and second-generation
Dosage/Rout
agents.
e

Notable is increased action

IM: IV:
against:
Children Most
o Acinetobacter,
infections
o Enterobacter,
5075
o Haemophilus influenzae
mg/kg/day
(including -lactamase(not to exceed
producing strains),
2 g/day)
o Haemophilus
Pregnancy
Category
Category B

Side Effects

Nursing
Responsibilities &
Patient Teaching

Resolution
of the signs
and
Advise patient to report symptoms
signs of superinfection of infection.
(furry overgrowth on
Length of
the tongue, vaginal
time for
itching or discharge,
complete
loose or foul-smelling
resolution
stools) and allergy.
depends on
the
organism
Instruct patient to
and site of
notify health care
infection.
professional if fever
and diarrhea develop,
especially if diarrhea
Decreased
contains blood, mucus, incidence of
or pus. Advise patient
infection
not to treat diarrhea
when used
without consulting
for
health care
prophylaxis.
professional.

Contraindication/Precautions Patient/Family
Teaching
Contraindicated in:
Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
Serious hypersensitivity to penicillins
Pedi: Neonates 28 days (use in
hyperbilirubinemic neonates may lead to
kernicterus)
Pedi: Neonates 28 days requiring calciumcontaining IV solutions ( risk of precipitation
formation).
Use Cautiously in:
Combined severe hepatic and renal impairment
(dose reduction/ dosing interval
recommended)
History of GI disease, especially colitis
OB: Lactation: Pregnancy and
lactation.

Adverse Reactions/Side
Effects

Rationale
for Use
with This
Patient

divided every
parainfluenzae,
o Escherichia coli,
1224 hr.
Meningitis
o Klebsiella pneumoniae,
100
o Morganella morganii,
mg/kg/day
o Neisseria,
(not to exceed
o Proteus,
4 g/day)
o Providencia,
divided every
o Serratia,
1224 hr or
o Moraxella catarrhalis.
Uncomplicate
Has some activity against
d gonorrhea
anaerobes, includingBacteroides
125 mg IM
fragilis.
(single
Not active against methicillindose).Acute
resistant staphylococci or
otitis media
enterococci.
50 mg/kg (not
to exceed 1 g) Pharmacokinetics
IM single
dose.
Absorption: Well absorbed following IM
administration; IV administration results
Rate: Infuse over in complete bioavailability.
30 min.
Distribution: Widely distributed. CSF
Availability
penetration better than with first- and
(generic
second-generation agents. Crosses the
available)
placenta; enters breast milk in low
Powder for
concentrations.
injection: 250
mg/vial, 500
mg/vial, 1 g/vial,
2 g/vial, 10 g/vial
Premixed
containers: 1
g/50 mL, 2 g/50
mL

Protein Binding: 90%.

Metabolism and Excretion: 3367%
excreted in urine as unchanged drug;
remainder excreted in feces.
Half-life: 69 hr.

CNS: SEIZURES (HIGH DOSES)

GI: PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS COLITIS,
diarrhea, cholelithiasis, gallbladder sludging
Derm: rashes, urticaria
Hemat: bleeding, eosinophilia, hemolytic
anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytosis
Local: pain at IM site, phlebitis at IV site
Misc: ALLERGIC REACTIONS
INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS,
superinfection
* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Italics indicate most frequent.

Interactions
Drug-Drug
Should not be administered concomitantly with
any calcium-containing solutions.

TIME/ACTION PROFILE
ROUTE ONSET PEAK

DURATION

IM

rapid

12 hr

1224 hr

IV

rapid

end of
1224 hr
infusion