rocephin

Rocephin (ceftriaxone) is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Rocephin is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms such as meningitis.

Rocephin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not use Rocephin if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.

Before using Rocephin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, colitis or other stomach or intestinal disorder, if you are malnourished, or if you are allergic to penicillin.

Use Rocephin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Rocephin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Before using Rocephin

Do not use Rocephin if you are allergic to ceftriaxone, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Raniclor);

• cefadroxil (Duricef);

• cefazolin (Ancef);

• cefdinir (Omnicef);

• cefditoren (Spectracef);

• cefpodoxime (Vantin);

• cefprozil (Cefzil);

• ceftibuten (Cedax);

• cefuroxime (Ceftin);

• cephalexin (Keflex); or

• cephradine (Velosef).

To make sure you can safely use Rocephin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;

• diabetes;

• gallbladder disease;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;

• if you are malnourished; or

• if you are allergic to penicillin.

FDA pregnancy category B. Rocephin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ceftriaxone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use Rocephin in a child without a doctor"s advice, and never give more than the child"s prescribed dose. Rocephin should never be used in a newborn with jaundice.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Rocephin?

Use Rocephin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Rocephin is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Rocephin must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.

You may need to mix Rocephin with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication. Use only the diluent your doctor has recommended.

After mixing your medicine, you will need to use it within a certain number of hours or days. This will depend on the diluent and how you store the mixture (at room temperature, in a refrigerator, or frozen). Carefully follow the mixing and storage instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions.

Do not mix Rocephin in the same injection with other antibiotics, or with any diluent that contains calcium, including a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) solution. If you use other injectable medications, be sure to flush your intravenous catheter between injections of each medication.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Rocephin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Rocephin.

Store unmixed Rocephin powder at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

If your medicine was provided in a frozen form or was frozen after mixing, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Use Rocephin as soon as possible after thawing it. Do not refreeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Rocephin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Rocephin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• fever, chills, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• seizure (convulsions);

• swelling, pain, or irritation where the injection was given;

• chalky-colored stools, stomach pain just after eating a meal, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back; or

• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious Rocephin side effects may include:

• a hard lump where the injection was given;

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

• headache, dizziness, overactive reflexes;

• pain or swelling in your tongue;

• sweating; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Rocephin?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Rocephin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.