Ceftriaxone
🧬 Cross-allergy: Cephalosporins
JFDA label: Triaxone Sterile Pow. For Inj IM
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which in turn inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell walls, thus inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Bacteria eventually lyse due to ongoing activity of cell wall autolytic enzymes (autolysins and murein hydrolases) while cell wall assembly is arrested.
Indications
Approved
- Acute bacterial otitis media
- Bacterial septicemia
- Bone and joint infections
- Intra-abdominal infections
- Lower respiratory tract infections
- Meningitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Skin and skin structure infections
- Surgical prophylaxis
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea (cervical/urethral and rectal)
- Urinary tract infections (complicated and uncomplicated)
Off-label
- Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis
- Arthritis, septic (adults)
- Bacterial enteric infections in HIV-infected patients (empiric treatment) (adolescents and adults)
- Bite wounds (animal)
- Brain abscess (adults)
- Chancroid
- Community-acquired pneumonia (children)
- Endocarditis, prophylaxis
- Endocarditis, treatment (adults)
- Endocarditis, treatment (pediatric)
- Epididymitis
- Epiglottitis (children)
- Gonococcal bacteremia, meningitis and endocarditis
- Gonococcal conjunctivitis
- Gonorrhea, disseminated infections (including arthritis and arthritis-dermatitis syndrome)
- Gonorrhea, infant prophylaxis (due to untreated maternal gonococcal infection)
- Gonorrhea, uncomplicated infections of the pharynx and vulvovaginitis
- Lyme disease
- Meningococcal disease, invasive, high-risk patient contacts (chemoprophylaxis)
- Neurosyphilis in penicillin-allergic patients
- Osteomyelitis, native vertebral
- Proctitis, proctocolitis, enteritis
- Prophylaxis against sexually transmitted diseases following sexual assault
- Prosthetic joint infection (adults)
- Salmonellosis in HIV-infected patients (adolescents and adults)
- Shigellosis
- Skin and soft tissue necrotizing infections due to Aeromonas hydrophilia or Vibrio vulnificus
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (prevention)
- Surgical site infections
- Syphilis (primary and secondary) in penicillin allergic patients
- Typhoid fever
- Whipple disease
Antimicrobial Spectrum
Expected / intrinsic spectrum (EUCAST breakpoints & labels) — not local resistance. Source: EUCAST v16 · curated · openfda-label.
Bacteria
| Organism | Activity | MIC |
|---|---|---|
| Acinetobacter calcoaceticus | Active | — |
| Anaerobes | Susceptible | 0.061 mg/L |
| Bacteroides fragilis | Active | — |
| Chlamydia trachomatis | Active | — |
| Citrobacter diversus | Active | — |
| Citrobacter freundii | Active | — |
| Clostridium difficile | Active | — |
| Enterobacter aerogenes | Active | — |
| Enterobacter cloacae | Active | — |
| Enterobacterales | Susceptible | 1.0 mg/L |
| Escherichia coli | Susceptible | 1.0 mg/L |
| Haemophilus influenzae | Susceptible | 0.125 mg/L |
| Haemophilus influenzae | Susceptible | 0.125 mg/L |
| Haemophilus parainfluenzae | Active | — |
| Klebsiella oxytoca | Active | — |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | Susceptible | 1.0 mg/L |
| Moraxella catarrhalis | Susceptible | 1.0 mg/L |
| Morganella morganii | Active | — |
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Susceptible | 0.125 mg/L |
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Susceptible | 0.125 mg/L |
| Neisseria meningitidis | Susceptible | 0.125 mg/L |
| Proteus mirabilis | Active | — |
| Proteus vulgaris | Active | — |
| Providencia rettgeri | Active | — |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Active | — |
| Salmonella spp. | Susceptible | 1.0 mg/L |
| Salmonella typhi | Active | — |
| Serratia marcescens | Active | — |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Active | — |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | Active | — |
| Streptococcus agalactiae | Active | — |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | Susceptible | 0.5 mg/L |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | Susceptible | 0.5 mg/L |
| Streptococcus pyogenes | Active | — |
| Viridans group streptococci | Susceptible | 0.5 mg/L |
| Escherichia coli | Resistant | 2.0 mg/L |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | Resistant | 2.0 mg/L |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | Resistant | 2.0 mg/L |
Class profile
| gramStatus | Both |
|---|---|
| spectrumBreadth | Broad |
| atypicalCoverage | No |
| isBactericidal | 1 |
| moaCategory | Cell wall synthesis inhibitor (beta-lactam, 3rd generation cephalosporin) |
| pdIndex | Time-dependent |
| postAntibioticEffect | None |
| mrsaCoverage | 0 |
| resistanceMechanisms | ESBL production,AmpC beta-lactamase |
Contraindications
Source: Lexicomp
- Hypersensitivity to ceftriaxone, any component of the formulation, or other cephalosporins Absolute
- IV use of ceftriaxone solutions containing lidocaine Absolute
- concomitant use with intravenous calcium-containing solutions/products in neonates (≤28 days) Absolute
- do not use in hyperbilirubinemic neonates, particularly those who are premature since ceftriaxone is reported to displace bilirubin from albumin binding sites Absolute
Adverse Reactions
Hepatobiliary disorders (2)
Common Biliary sludge / pseudolithiasis · Increased serum transaminases
Renal and urinary disorders (1)
Common Increased blood urea nitrogen
Blood and lymphatic system disorders (5)
Common Eosinophilia · leukopenia · thrombocythemia
Uncommon Thrombocytopenia
Very Rare Haemolytic anaemia
Immune system disorders (1)
Uncommon Hypersensitivity
Gastrointestinal disorders (2)
Common Diarrhea · Diarrhoea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (3)
Very Common Skin tightness
Common Rash · Skin rash
Infections and infestations (1)
Uncommon Clostridioides difficile colitis
General disorders and administration site conditions (4)
Very Common Induration at injection site · warm sensation at injection site
Common Pain at injection site · tenderness at injection site
Dosing
Source: Lexicomp
Warnings & Precautions
Source: Lexicomp
Hypersensitivity
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity has been reported. Use caution in patients with a history of any allergy (particularly drugs), penicillin allergy or beta-lactam sensitivity. If severe hypersensitivity occurs, discontinue immediately and institute supportive emergency measures.
Elevated INR
May be associated with increased INR (rarely), especially in nutritionally-deficient patients, prolonged treatment, hepatic or renal disease. Monitor INR during treatment if patient has impaired synthesis or low stores of vitamin K; supplementation may be needed if clinically indicated.
Hemolytic anemia
Severe cases (including some fatalities) of immune-related hemolytic anemia have been reported in patients receiving cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone.
Pancreatitis
Secondary to biliary obstruction, pancreatitis has been reported rarely. Most patients had biliary stasis or sludge risk factors (eg, preceding major surgery, sever illness, TPN).
Superinfection
Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and pseudomembranous colitis; CDAD has been observed >2 months postantibiotic treatment. Disease-related concerns:
Gallbladder pseudolithiasis
Abnormal gallbladder sonograms have been reported, possibly due to ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates; probability is greatest in pediatric patients. Discontinue in patients who develop signs and symptoms and/or sonographic evidence of gallbladder disease.
Gastrointestinal disease
Use with caution in patients with a history of GI disease, especially colitis.
Drug-drug interactions
Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information. Special populations:
Neonates
Use extreme caution in neonates due to risk of hyperbilirubinemia, particularly in premature infants (contraindicated in hyperbilirubinemic neonates and neonates Other warnings/precautions:
Precipitation
Ceftriaxone may complex with calcium causing precipitation. Fatal lung and kidney damage associated with calcium-ceftriaxone precipitates has been observed in premature and term neonates. Due to reports of precipitation reaction in neonates, do not reconstitute, admix, or coadminister with calcium-containing solutions (eg, LR, Hartmann’s solution, parenteral nutrition), even via separate infusion lines/sites or at different times in any neonate. Ceftriaxone should not be diluted or administered simultaneously with any calcium-containing solution via a Y-site in any patient. However, ceftriaxone and calcium-containing solutions may be administered sequentially of one another for use in patients other than neonates if infusion lines are thoroughly flushed (with a compatible fluid) between infusions.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
Adverse events have not been observed in animal reproduction studies. Ceftriaxone crosses the placenta. Pregnancy was found to influence the single dose pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone when administered prior to delivery (Popović 2007). The pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone following multiple doses in the third trimester are similar to those of nonpregnant patients (Bourget Fernandez 1993). Ceftriaxone is recommended for use in pregnant women for the treatment of gonococcal infections, Lyme disease, and may be used in certain situations prior to vaginal delivery in women at high risk for endocarditis (consult current guidelines) (ACOG 120, 2011; CDC [Workowski 2015]; Wormser 2006).
Lactation
Ceftriaxone is excreted into breast milk. The relative infant dose (RID) of ceftriaxone is 1.2% to 2.4% when calculated using the highest breast milk concentration located and compared to a therapeutic infant dose of 50 to 100 mg/kg/day. In general, breast-feeding is considered acceptable when the relative infant dose is The elimination half-life in breast milk following administration of a single dose of ceftriaxone 1 g was 12.8 hours and 17.3 hours with IV and IM administration, respectively
Monitoring
| Efficacy | Culture and susceptibility testing; clinical resolution (temperature, WBC, CRP, procalcitonin) |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Renal function (dose adjustment in renal impairment); hepatic function for hepatically cleared agents; signs of C. difficile infection (diarrhoea) |
| Clinical pearl | Culture results guide de-escalation to narrower-spectrum therapy. Review antibiotic appropriateness at 48–72 h (antimicrobial stewardship). |
| Counseling | Complete the full course. Report persistent diarrhoea, rash, or lack of improvement after 48–72 h. |
Chemistry & Properties
| Formula | C18H18N8O7S3 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 554.59 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | (6R,7R)-7-[[(2Z)-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetyl]amino]-3-[(2-methyl-5,6-dioxo-1H-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)sulfanylmethyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid |
| CAS | 73384-59-5 |
| PubChem CID | 5479530 |
| InChIKey | VAAUVRVFOQPIGI-SPQHTLEESA-N |
| logP | -1.2 (XLogP -1.3) |
| Polar surface area | 215.22 Ų |
| H-bond acceptors / donors | 15 / 4 |
| Drug-likeness (QED) | 0.13 |
| Lipinski violations | 2 |
SMILES
CO/N=C(\C(=O)N[C@@H]1C(=O)N2C(C(=O)O)=C(CSc3nc(=O)c(O)nn3C)CS[C@H]12)c1csc(N)n1Biology & Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics
| BBB penetrant | Yes |
|---|
Enzyme interactions
| Enzyme | Role | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| CYP2C9 | Substrate | — |
Transporters
BCRP (Inhibitor)BSEP (Inhibitor)BSEP (Inhibitor)MDR1 (Inhibitor)MRP1 (Inhibitor)MRP2 (Inhibitor)MRP3 (Inhibitor)MRP4 (Inhibitor)OAT1 (Inhibitor)OAT2 (Inhibitor)OAT3 (Inhibitor)OAT4 (Inhibitor)OATP1B1 (Inhibitor)OATP1B1 (Inhibitor)OATP1B3 (Inhibitor)OATP1B3 (Inhibitor)P-gp (Inhibitor)PEPT1 (Inhibitor)PEPT2 (Inhibitor)MDR1 (Substrate)P-gp (Substrate)PEPT1 (Substrate)
Drug–drug interactions (20, DDInter)
| Interacting drug | Severity | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium chloride | major | |
| Calcium glucoheptonate | major | |
| Calcium gluconate | major | |
| Leucovorin | major | |
| Levoleucovorin | major | |
| Amikacin | moderate | |
| Amikacin (liposome) | moderate | |
| Chloramphenicol | moderate | |
| Cyclosporine | moderate | |
| Dicoumarol | moderate | |
| Ethinylestradiol | moderate | |
| Gentamicin | moderate | |
| Kanamycin | moderate | |
| Mycophenolic acid | moderate | |
| Neomycin | moderate | |
| Picosulfuric acid | moderate | |
| Streptomycin | moderate | |
| Warfarin | moderate | |
| Diclofenac | minor | |
| Heparin | minor |
Registered Products (46)
| Brand | Form / strength | Pack | Agent | Citizen (JOD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPICEPHIN IV Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 1 amp pack varies | Reda Jardaneh Drug Store | 1.660 |
| Epicephin IM Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 1 amp | Reda Jardaneh Drug Store | 1.660 |
| Megion Powder for Injection | Powder for Injection 0.25 g | One Vial | Nabulsi Drug Store | 2.570 |
| Longacef 500mg I.V. Injection | Powder for Injection 500 mg | 1 vial pack varies | UNITED PHARM.MFG.CO.LTD(UPM)/JORDAN | 2.630 |
| Longacef I.M. Injection | Powder for Injection 500 mg | 1 vial pack varies | UNITED PHARM.MFG.CO.LTD(UPM)/JORDAN | 2.630 |
| Axone Powder 0.5 g for IM injection + 5 ml Lidocaine HCL | Powder for Injection (sodium) 0.5 g, 1 % | 1 glass vial + LDPE Ampoule | Pharma International Company/ Jordan | 3.000 |
| Samixon 500 IM Injection | Powder for Injection 500 mg, 1 % | 1 amp | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 3.000 |
| Samixon 500 IV Injection | Powder for Injection 500 mg | 1 vial pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 3.000 |
| Vaxcel Ceftriaxone | Powder for Injection 500 mg | 1 vial | AL Rahma Drug Store | 3.080 |
| Lebacef 0.5 | Vial 0.5 g, - - | One vial of sterile powder and one ampoule of lidocaine solvent + One syringe+ 2 Needles +Swab +Band | Adonis Drug Store | 3.850 |
| VERACOL VIAL IM | Vial 1 g | 1 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 3.850 |
| VERACOL VIAL IV | Vial 1 g | 1 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 3.980 |
| Lebacef | Ampoule 1 g | 1 ampoule pack varies | Adonis Drug Store | 4.340 |
| Lebacef | Ampoule 1 g | 1 syringe pack varies | Adonis Drug Store | 4.340 |
| TRIAXONE INJ -IV | Powder for Injection 1 g | 1 vial | Sukhtian Group | 4.340 |
| Megion Powder for Injection | Powder for Injection 0.5 g | 15 ml | Nabulsi Drug Store | 4.380 |
| Megion Powder for Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 10 ml | Nabulsi Drug Store | 4.440 |
| Enoxirt 0.5g IM Injection | Powder for Injection 0.5 g, 1 % | 1 vial | Professional Drug Store | 4.850 |
| Triaxone 0.5g IM | Vial 500 mg, (Solvent) 1 %w/v | 1 vial | Sukhtian Group | 4.860 |
| Triaxone Sterile Pow. For Inj IM | Powder for Injection 1 g | 5 ml | Sukhtian Group | 4.860 |
| Enoxirt 1.0 g IM Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 1 vial | Professional Drug Store | 4.970 |
| Ceftra IM/IV | Vial 1000 mg | 1 vial | MAS Pharmaceutical Industries | 5.360 |
| Axone 1gm Powder For IV Injection + 10ml WFI | Powder for Injection 1 g | 1 glass Vial+1 plastic amp | Pharma International Company/ Jordan | 6.070 |
| Axone Powder and solvent for IM Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g, 1 % | 1 amp | Pharma International Company/ Jordan | 6.070 |
| Longacef I.M. Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 3.5 ml pack varies | UNITED PHARM.MFG.CO.LTD(UPM)/JORDAN | 6.070 |
| Longacef I.V Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 10 ml pack varies | UNITED PHARM.MFG.CO.LTD(UPM)/JORDAN | 6.070 |
| Samixon 1000 IM Injection | Powder for Injection As Sodium 1000 mg, 1 % | 1 amp pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 6.070 |
| Samixon 1000 IV Injection | Powder for Injection (Sodium)1000 mg | 1 vial pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 6.070 |
| ROCEPHIN IM | Solution 250 mg | 2 ml | Shawi & Rushedat Drug Store | 7.370 |
| Rocephin IM | Ampoule 1 g | 1 amp pack varies | Shawi & Rushedat Drug Store | 7.370 |
| Rocephin IV | Ampoule 1 g | 1 amp pack varies | Shawi & Rushedat Drug Store | 7.370 |
| EPICEPHIN IV Injection | Powder for Injection 1 g | 10 vial pack varies | Reda Jardaneh Drug Store | 14.350 |
| Enoxirt | Vial 2.000 g | 1 vial | Professional Drug Store | 14.560 |
| Axone Powder 0.5 g for IV/IM injection | Powder for Injection (sodium) 0.5 g | 10 vial | Pharma International Company/ Jordan | 27.000 |
| Samixon 500 IV Injection | Powder for Injection 500 mg | 10 vial pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 27.000 |
| Lebacef | Vial 0.5 g | 10 vial | Adonis Drug Store | 33.280 |
| VERACOL VIAL IM | Vial 1 g | 10 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 35.820 |
| VERACOL VIAL IV | Vial 1 g | 10 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 35.840 |
| Lebacef | Vial 1 g | 10 vial pack varies | Adonis Drug Store | 39.060 |
| Axxon | Tablet 1 g | 10 tab | IBN CINA DRUG STORE | 44.640 |
| Axone Powder 1g for IV/IM injection | Powder for Injection (sodium) 1 g | 10 vial | Pharma International Company/ Jordan | 54.630 |
| Samixon 1000 IM Injection | Powder for Injection As Sodium 1000 mg, 1 % | 1 amp pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 54.630 |
| Samixon 1000 IV Injection | Powder for Injection (Sodium)1000 mg | 10 vial pack varies | Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan | 54.630 |
| Megion | Vial 2 g | 10 vial | Nabulsi Drug Store | 140.290 |
| VERACOL VIAL IM | Vial 1 g | 50 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 169.140 |
| VERACOL VIAL IV | Vial 1 g | 50 ampoule pack varies | Al Hilal Drug Store | 169.250 |