Generic name: ceftriaxone (injection) [ SEF-trye-AX-one ]
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 27, 2023.

What is Rocephin?

Rocephin 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 E. coli, pneumonia, or meningitis.

Rocephin is also used to prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery.

Warnings

You should not use Rocephin if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of cephalosporin antibiotic (Omnicef, Keflex, and others).

Do not use Rocephin in a child without a doctor's advice. Rocephin should never be used in a premature baby, or in any newborn baby who has jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Rocephin in a child without a doctor's advice, and never give more than the child's prescribed dose. Rocephin injection can be dangerous when given to a newborn baby with any intravenous medicines that contain calcium, including total parental nutrition (TPN).

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to ceftriaxone or to certain antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor, cefdinir, cefixime, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, cephalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others;

• avibactam, relebactam, sulbactam, tazobactam, vaborbactam, and others; or

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag), ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and others.

To make sure Rocephin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• gallbladder disease;

• diabetes; or

• bleeding problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, diclofenac ophthalmic, azithromycin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole

How is Rocephin given?

Take Rocephin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Rocephin is injected into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein (IV).

A healthcare provider will give you this injection when Rocephin is used to prevent infection from surgery.

You may be shown how to use the injection at home to treat an infection. Rocephin is sometimes given for up to 14 days.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

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

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Rocephin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

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.

Rocephin can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Rocephin.

Rocephin is usually mixed with a diluent to prepare it for use. Mixed medicine must be used 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.

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

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a 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 while using Rocephin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Rocephin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Rocephin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• new signs of infection (fever, chills, sweating);

• nausea, vomiting, pain in your upper stomach that spreads to your back;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine;

• new or worsening breathing problems (wheezing, feeling short of breath);

• a blood cell disorder - headache, chest pain, dizziness, weakness, severe tingling or numbness; or

• kidney or bladder problems - pain in your side or lower back spreading to your groin, blood in your urine, painful or difficult urination, little or no urine.

Common Rocephin side effects may include:

• symptoms of a blood cell disorder;

• diarrhea;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• warmth, tight feeling, or a hard lump where the injection was given;

• rash; or

• abnormal liver function tests.

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.

What other drugs will affect Rocephin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• fluconazole;

• vancomycin; or

• other injected (IV) antibiotics.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ceftriaxone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Rocephin only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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