Ceftriaxone
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations
- A 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotic
- Bactericidal
- Usual adult dose: 1g daily. Use 2g bd for adult meningitis.
- No dose reduction necessary if renal impairment. Maximum dose 2g/day if severe impairment.
- Injectable form only available. Can be given IV or IM.
- Penetrates into cerebrospinal fluid.
- High risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly inpatients.
- Not to be used in patients with a serious penicillin allergy (e.g. anaphylaxis).
Main indications:
- Meningitis or intracranial sepsis
- Microbiology advice.
- Uncomplicated gonococcal infection
Active against most strains of:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemolytic streptococci
- Neiserria gonnorrhoea, Neisseria meningitidis
- Moraxella
- Escherichia coli
- Other coliforms
Not active against most strains of:
- MRSA
- Enterococcus
- Clostridium difficile
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Listeria monocytogenes