Rocephin

Generic Name: ceftriaxone (SEF trye AX one)
Brand Names: Rocephin

What is Rocephin?

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Rocephin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Rocephin?

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

Before using Rocephin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.

Use Rocephin for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Rocephin is usually given for at least 2 days after symptoms disappear.

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.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using this medication?

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

• cefaclor (Ceclor);

• cefadroxil (Duricef);

• cefdinir (Omnicef);

• cefditoren (Spectracef);

• cefixime (Suprax);

• cefprozil (Cefzil);

• cefuroxime (Ceftin);

• cephalexin (Keflex); and others.

Before using Rocephin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or

• if you are malnourished.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Rocephin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. Rocephin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Rocephin 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 this medication in a child without a doctor's advice, and never give more than the child's prescribed dose.

How should I use Rocephin?

Rocephin is given as an injection into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medication at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, syringes, and other items used in giving the medicine.

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

You will 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.

Do not mix Rocephin with any diluent that contains calcium, including a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) solution.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Rocephin is usually given for at least 2 days after symptoms disappear.

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

Store this medication 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 the medicine as soon as possible after thawing it. Do not refreeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

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 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: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• fever or chills;

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

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

• heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• headache, dizziness;

• sweating; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Rocephin?

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

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Rocephin.

What does my medication look like?

Ceftriaxone is available with a prescription under the brand name Rocephin in several injectable formulations. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Rocephin, especially if it is new to you.

• 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.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
• Click here for more information on Rocephin from the manufacturer.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 09/17/2007 9:39:31 AM.

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