Ceftriaxone

The antibiotic Ceftriaxone belongs to the active ingredient group of cephalosporins. It kills bacteria by disrupting their cell wall synthesis.

What is Ceftriaxone?

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic that has a strong effect. It comes from the 3rd generation cephalosporins and can be used against various infections that are triggered by bacteria. These include, for example, meningitis (meningitis) or blood poisoning (sepsis).

Ceftriaxone was developed in the early 1980s by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-LaRoche. In 1982 the antibiotic came on the market and was sold as an injection preparation. Several generic drugs are also offered.

Pharmacological effect

The effect of ceftriaxone is somewhat expanded in the gram-negative range compared to the cephalosporins, which come from the 1st and 2nd generation. In contrast, there is a slight weakening in the gram-positive area. Gram-negative and gram-positive are the different staining reactions in laboratory tests. As part of a special staining process, gram-positive bacteria are given a blue color, while gram-negative bacteria turn reddish, which is due to the different cell structures of the germs.

Ceftriaxone is counted among the beta-lactam antibiotics. The medicinal substance has the property of inhibiting the build-up of their cell walls during the bacterial growth period. In the process, proteins that bind penicillin are blocked, which leads to the death of the pathogens.

Ceftriaxone is a partial cephalosporin. This means that it is suitable for treating numerous different types of bacteria. The antibiotic can also be used against bacteria that are equipped with the protein beta-lactamase, which inhibits the effectiveness of other cephalosporins.

Because ceftriaxone is difficult to absorb from the intestine, it must be administered by infusion. In this way, the active ingredient gets directly into the patient's bloodstream. After ceftriaxone has bound to plasma proteins, it is distributed throughout the organism.

While 60 percent of the drug leaves the body in the urine, the remainder is excreted in the bile and stool. It takes about six to eight hours for around 50 percent of the ceftriaxone to leave the organism.

Medical application & use

Ceftriaxone is used against various bacterial infections. These include diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as bacterial meningitis, pronounced infections in the ear, nose and throat area, abdominal infections, blood poisoning, infections of the urinary tract and the kidneys, and borreliosis. The antibiotic is also suitable for treating infections in joints and bones.

As already mentioned, Ceftriaxone is administered by giving an infusion. The drug is injected either intravenously into a vein or intramuscularly into a muscle. The dosage of the drug depends on the type and extent of the disease and the age of the person affected. In the case of kidney failure, a lowering of the dose may be necessary. How long ceftriaxone is administered is determined by the attending physician.

Risks & side effects

Taking ceftriaxone can sometimes cause undesirable side effects. In most cases this is due to precipitation of the ceftriaxone calcium salts within the gallbladder and the formation of gallstones. Children are particularly affected.

Other frequently occurring side effects include chills, drug fever, joint pain, headache, reddening of the skin, rash, itching, edema (water retention) in the tissue, hives, inflammation of the vein wall, hot flashes, nausea and pain in the injection area.

It is also not uncommon for an increase in liver values ​​to be recorded. Occasionally, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, inflammation of the tongue, inflammation of the oral mucosa, loose stools, and fungal infections of the mouth or pubic region occur.

If ceftriaxone is given for a long time, the colon can become infected with resistant bacteria. A fungal infection of this region is also possible, which in turn leads to intestinal inflammation, which is associated with diarrhea. In addition, there is a risk of superinfection.

Ceftriaxone should not be used if the patient is hypersensitive to the active ingredient or other beta-lactam antibiotics. If the person concerned suffers from other allergies, a consultation with the doctor must be made before taking the product.

Ceftriaxone is able to penetrate the mother's placenta and enter the amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Damage to unborn children as a result has not yet been recorded. Nevertheless, the use of the antibiotic is only recommended to pregnant women on explicit medical advice, which is especially true at the beginning of pregnancy.

Caution is also required when breastfeeding. In this way, the active ingredient can get into breast milk in small amounts and thus pass onto the baby. As a result, there is a risk of diarrhea or a colonization with fungi that cause intestinal inflammation. Occasionally there is also a sensitization to ceftriaxone, which can lead to an impairment of the effectiveness when administered later.

Babies receiving calcium treatment at the same time should not receive ceftriaxone. There is a risk of chemical incompatibilities with sometimes serious consequences.

Interactions with other drugs are also possible when taking ceftriaxone. For example, the drug is weakened or canceled if the patient takes growth-inhibiting antibiotics at the same time. For this reason, the intake of erythromycin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides or tetracyclines should be avoided. Conversely, ceftriaxone has the effect of weakening hormonal preparations that are used to prevent pregnancy.