Consumer Information for: CEFTRIAXONE FOR INJECTION USP

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for

Ceftriaxone injection is used to treat infections of the:

  • brain (meningitis)
  • lungs
  • abdomen and abdominal wall (peritonitis)
  • urinary tract including kidneys
  • bones and joints
  • skin or soft tissues
  • blood
  • heart

It is also used:

  • to treat gonorrhoea which is a sexually transmitted infection
  • to treat bronchitis which is an infection of the chest
  • to prevent infections during surgery

Antibacterial drugs like Ceftriaxone for Injection USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.

What it does

Ceftriaxone for Injection USP is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It does this by preventing them from making their cell walls.

When it should not be used
  • You are allergic to ceftriaxone sodium or any component of the container, other cephalosporins, or penicillins.
  • Ceftriaxone for Injection USP should not be given to newborn babies with certain health conditions.
  • Ceftriaxone for Injection USP should not be given along with intravenous (into a vein) solutions that contain calcium.
What the medicinal ingredient is

ceftriaxone sodium

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

none

What dosage form it comes in
  • Powder for solution. 250 mg, 1 g, 2 g and 10 g ceftriaxone (as ceftriaxone sodium) per vial.
Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given Ceftriaxone for Injection USP if you:

  • have had an allergic reaction in the past, including to a medicine
  • have or have had asthma
  • have had a condition called hemolytic anemia (loss of red blood cells) after taking an antibiotic
  • have kidney problems
  • have liver problems
  • have or have had gastrointestinal disease (diseases of the stomach or bowels) including colitis (inflammation of the bowels)
  • are on a low sodium diet
  • are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding

Other warnings you should know about:

Secondary infections
If you develop new symptoms while you are receiving Ceftriaxone for Injection USP, talk to your healthcare professional since you may have a second infection.

Other medicines and your kidneys
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other medicines before you receive Ceftriaxone for Injection USP. It can interact with other medicines that have an effect on your kidneys.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Proper use of this medication

How to take Ceftriaxone for Injection USP

  • Ceftriaxone for Injection USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional
  • It will be given in one of the following ways:
    • as a slow injection into a vein
    • as an infusion through a small tube into one of your veins
    • as an injection into a large muscle (such as the muscle in your arm)
  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, Ceftriaxone for Injection USP should be used exactly as directed.
  • Misuse or overuse of Ceftriaxone for Injection USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Ceftriaxone for Injection USP (resistance). This means that Ceftriaxone for Injection USP may not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.

Usual dose

  • Your healthcare professional will decide how much Ceftriaxone for Injection USP you will receive and for how long you will receive it.
Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Ceftriaxone for Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

Common:

  • diarrhea
  • pain or tenderness at the injection site

Uncommon:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • altered sense of taste
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • sweating
  • malaise
  • hot flashes
  • swelling of the hands or feet
  • tingling, prickling or numbness of the hands or feet
  • impaired coordination

Rare:

  • :
  • stomach pain and cramps
  • passing gas
  • heartburn
  • burning tongue
  • nose bleed

Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
UNCOMMON
Anaphylactic reactions (allergic reactions): difficulty breathing, fever, hives, itching, rash, swelling of your tongue or throat     ✔
Anemia (decreased red blood cells): dizziness, fatigue, loss of energy, shortness of breath, weakness   ✔  
Oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth): bad taste in the mouth, creamy white bumps on the tongue, cheeks, gums or throat that bleed when scraped, pain, trouble swallowing   ✔  
Fever or chills   ✔  
Phlebitis (swelling of a vein): pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of a body area   ✔  
Skin reaction: Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforma: blistering, hives, itching blistering, inflamed, peeling, red and dying skin and severe rash   ✔  
Infection of the vagina, including yeast infection: burning during intercourse or urination, discharge, pain, redness, swelling, vaginal itching   ✔  
RARE
Neutropenia (decreased white blood cells): aches, bleeding gums, feeling tired, fever, flu-like symptoms, infections, sore mouth and gums, mouth ulcer, rash     ✔
Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness     ✔
Kidney problems: abdominal or back pain, changes in your urine, confusion, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, swelling, weakness.   ✔  
Liver problems: abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).   ✔  
Palpitations   ✔  
Mouth sores   ✔  
Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets in the blood); bleeding, bruising, fatigue, weakness.   ✔  

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
How to store

Store at room temperature (between 15ºC and 30ºC) and protect from light.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

This leaflet can also be found at: http://www.apotex.ca/products.

This leaflet was prepared by Pfizer Canada Inc. for distribution by:
Apotex Inc.
150 Signet Drive
Toronto, ON, M9L 1T9

Date of Revision: November 09, 2018

Date modified: