What Is Ceftriaxone Sodium?

Ceftriaxone sodium is a type of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. In this form, the powdered antibiotic is mixed with a liquid solution of dextrose, a sugar solution derived from corn, and injected into a patient. The medication may be injected into a large muscle or given through an intravenous (IV) line. This antibiotic works by preventing the bacteria from creating or repairing its cell wall. A normal treatment regimen lasts from four days to two weeks, although severe infections may require additional doses of the medicine.

Used to treat common bacterial infections such as otitis media, which is an ear infection, this antibiotic is also prescribed to treat uncomplicated cases of gonorrhea. Some abdominal infections respond well to ceftriaxone sodium. Cellulitis, an infection of the skin, is often treated with an injection of this cephalosporin antibiotic.

Many serious bacterial infections are treated with this powerful antibiotic. An infection of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis, can be treated with ceftriaxone sodium. Bacteria that has entered into the blood stream and spread throughout the body, an infection named septicemia, often responds favorably to ceftriaxone sodium therapy.

Several other bacterial infections are treated with ceftriaxone sodium. Occasionally, it is prescribed to treat an infection of the lining of the heart called endocarditis. Some patients with Lyme disease are also treated with this antibiotic. Urinary tract infections (UTI) and lower respiratory tract infections are often cured with injections of ceftriaxone sodium. Frequently, this antibiotic is given before surgical procedures to prevent a post-operative infection.

Side effects of ceftriaxone sodium are usually mild and well tolerated. The most common side effect reported after a dose of the antibiotic is localized pain and tenderness at the injection site. Other people have experienced headaches, dizziness, or diarrhea. Excessive sweating and redness of the face and chest have also been reported.

Serious side effects of taking ceftriaxone sodium may include an anaphylactic allergic reaction to the medication shortly after the injection. Shortness of breath, hives, and swelling of the face, throat, and tongue may indicate a severe allergic response. A person experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately receive medical attention at an emergency care facility. Other symptoms that need to be reported to the physician are abdominal pain and bloating, chest pain, vomiting, or a high fever.

Some people should not take this antibiotic. Ceftriaxone sodium is able to cross the blood-placenta barrier, and because of this, a pregnant woman should advise her physician of her condition before the medication is given. A person with a corn allergy is not usually prescribed this medication because of the dextrose solution the antibiotic is mixed with prior to administration. Anyone taking calcium supplements or a medication containing calcium is not given this antibiotic due to the interaction of the two.