Ceftriaxone is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. The medicine is used in the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections. Ceftriaxone works by attacking the outer membrane of the bacterial cell, essential for its survival. This way Ceftriaxone treats bacterial infections and eradicates bacterial cells from the body. The Ceftriaxone injection is used in the treatment of gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease), pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the female reproductive organs that may cause infertility), meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and infections of the lungs, ears, skin, urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and abdomen.
The antibiotic drug is injected into the veins by a medical professional. Take the medicine as per the prescribed dosage and duration by the doctor. It is recommended to take the medicine regularly at the same time, to maintain a constant level of medication in the body. Do not skip the dosage and complete the full course of medicine even if you start feeling better. Some people may observe side effects such as diarrhea, rash, and changes in liver function tests and blood cell counts. Consult your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen with time. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the active ingredient present in the injection.
Uses of Ceftriaxone Injection
Ceftriaxone is a potent antibiotic that attacks the cell wall or outer covering of the bacterial cell, thereby stopping the growth of bacterial cells inside the body. Mostly it is injected by a doctor or a nurse into a vein or muscle. It is indicated for a wide range of bacterial infections such as:
- gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease)
- pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the female reproductive organs that may cause infertility)
- meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord)
- infections of the lungs, ears, skin, urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and abdomen
Side Effects of Ceftriaxone Injection
Mostly the side effects, are mild to moderate that does not last for a long time. If the side effects persist or get severe with time, immediately consult your doctor. The side effects are not the same for all the users as they depend on the health condition and response to the therapy. Some commonly observed side effects are given below:
- pain, tenderness, hardness, or warmth in the place where ceftriaxone was injected
- pale skin, weakness, or shortness of breath when exercising
- diarrhea
- stomach tenderness, pain, or bloating
- nausea and vomiting
- heartburn
- chest pain
- severe pain in the side and back below the ribs
- painful urination
- decreased urination
- urinating more often than usual
Precautions and Warnings
1. Avoid consuming alcohol as it may interact with the medicine and worsen the health condition.
2. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before taking the medicine as it may affect the fetus.
3. Store the injection in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
4. Lactating mothers should also consult their doctor before taking the medicine as it may pass into the breast milk and affect the newborn baby.
5. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. Properly dispose of expired and discarded medicine.
