Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Ceftriaxone. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Ceftriaxone with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Ceftriaxone. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• dizziness
• headache
• mild Diarrhea

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chills
• Fever
• pain, redness, and swelling at site of injection
• rash

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe, persistent diarrhea
• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), e.g.:
  • difficulty breathing
  • Hives
  • swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Ceftriaxone.

250 mg
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 250 mg. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

1 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 1 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

2 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 2 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

10 g
Each vial contains white to pale yellow powder equivalent to ceftriaxone 10 g. The sodium content for each gram of ceftriaxone is approximately 83 mg (3.6mEq sodium ion). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

Do not use Ceftriaxone if you:

• are allergic to ceftriaxone or any ingredients of Ceftriaxone
• are allergic to other cephalosporins (e.g., Cephalexin) or penicillins (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin)
  • the risk of developing a reaction to ceftriaxone given a history of cephalosporin or penicillin allergy is relatively low, but check with your health care provider before starting treatment

Do not give Ceftriaxone to a newborn or premature infant who has high amounts of bilirubin in their blood.

Do not give Ceftriaxone to a newborn who is receiving (or expected to receive) calcium-containing intravenous solutions (calcium-containing solutions should not be given within 5 days of ceftriaxone in infants up to 10 weeks of age).

There may be an interaction between ceftriaxone and any of the following:

• anticoagulant medications (e.g., Warfarin)
• solutions injected into a vein that contain calcium
• typhoid vaccine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ceftriaxone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ceftriaxone.

Allergic reactions: Ceftriaxone can cause severe allergic reactions. If you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat), get immediate medical attention.

Anemia: Although rare, certain drugs can cause a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, where people have low red blood cells due to premature destruction of this type of blood cell. If you have a history of cephalosporin-related hemolytic anemia, you should talk to your doctor before starting treatment.

Blood tests: Depending on various factors, including how long you will be receiving treatment, your doctor may order blood tests while you are taking ceftriaxone.

Calcium-containing solutions: The interaction with calcium-containing solutions has only been reported for newborns. For all other people, ceftriaxone can be administered before or after calcium-containing solutions provided that the infusion lines are flushed well in between the solutions. In newborns, calcium-containing solutions should not be given within 5 days for infants up to 10 weeks of age.

Gallbladder disease: If you have gallbladder disease, discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney problems: Ceftriaxone may cause Kidney Stones. If you have high calcium levels in your urine or a history of kidney stones, discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low vitamin K: People with impaired vitamin K synthesis or low vitamin K stores (e.g., chronic liver disease and malnutrition) may require monitoring of blood clotting during treatment, as ceftriaxone may decrease clotting ability.

Overgrowth of organisms: Treatment with this antibiotic may allow normal fungus or types of bacteria not killed by the antibiotic to overgrow, causing unwanted infections.

Stomach and bowel disorders: If you have stomach and bowel problems (especially colitis), discuss with your doctor how Ceftriaxone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ceftriaxone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Ceftriaxone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ceftriaxone, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Ceftriaxone passes into breast milk in small amounts. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking ceftriaxone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Newborn and premature infants (up to the age of 10 weeks) should not receive calcium-containing solutions within 5 days of receiving ceftriaxone.