What is Rocephin?
Rocephin (ceftriaxone) 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 meningitis.
Rocephin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Rocephin if you are allergic to ceftriaxone or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins or other antibiotics.
Before using Rocephin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, colitis or other stomach or intestinal disorder, if you are malnourished, or if you are allergic to penicillin.
Do not use Rocephin in a child without a doctor's advice. Ceftriaxone should never be used in a premature baby, or in any newborn baby who has jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
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 will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Before using 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). Rocephin should never be used in a premature baby, or in any newborn baby who has jaundice.
You should not use Rocephin if you are allergic to ceftriaxone or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
- cefaclor (Raniclor);
- cefadroxil (Duricef);
- cefazolin (Ancef);
- cefdinir (Omnicef);
- cefditoren (Spectracef);
- cefpodoxime (Vantin);
- cefprozil (Cefzil);
- ceftibuten (Cedax);
- cefuroxime (Ceftin);
- cephalexin (Keflex); or
- cephradine (Velosef).
To make sure Rocephin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- an allergy to any drugs (especially penicillins);
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- diabetes;
- gallbladder disease;
- a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
- poor nutrition; or
- a condition for which you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).
Rocephin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ceftriaxone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Rocephin?
Use Rocephin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Rocephin is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.
You may 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 in the same injection with other antibiotics, or with any diluent that contains calcium, including a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) solution.
After mixing your medicine, you will need to use it 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 you use other injectable medications, be sure to flush your intravenous catheter between injections of each medication.
Use Rocephin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Rocephin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Rocephin can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Store unmixed Rocephin powder 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.
Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
