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 Rocephin.
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 Rocephin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rocephin, 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 Rocephin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rocephin, 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 Rocephin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rocephin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Rocephin should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Rocephin, 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.
