Rocephin

GENERIC NAME: CEFTRIAXONE (sef-try-AX-one)

COMMON USES: This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. This medicine will not treat infections caused by viruses.

HOW TO USE THIS MEDICINE: Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. This medicine is sometimes used at home as an injection. IF YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE AT HOME, a healthcare professional will provide detailed instructions for its appropriate use. Ask them any questions that you may have about your medicine or giving injections. This medicine is light yellow to amber in color. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial or container is cracked or damaged in any way. This medicine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using this medicine at home, STORE THIS MEDICINE as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. KEEP THIS MEDICINE, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment, even if you feel better in a few days. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

CAUTIONS: DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any ingredient in this product, or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin, cefprozil). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a cephalosporin, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. IF MODERATE TO SEVERE DIARRHEA OCCURS during or after treatment with this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea with non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines without first checking with your doctor. A SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL TYPE OF ANEMIA (hemolytic anemia) has been reported in patients using cephalosporin antibiotics, including this medicine. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor right away if you experience unusual tiredness or weakness, unusually pale skin, dizziness, fever or chills, severe back or stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. THIS MEDICINE ONLY WORKS AGAINST BACTERIA; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold). BE SURE TO USE THIS MEDICINE for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future. Long-term or repeated use of this medicine may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include mild diarrhea; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; nausea; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or watery stools; dizziness; fever or chills; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe or persistent stomach or back pain with nausea and vomiting; stomach pain or cramps; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vaginal irritation or discharge; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE: Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if the patient is a newborn and is receiving or is expected to receive an intravenous (IV) medicine that contains calcium. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking calcium-containing IV medicines (eg, parenteral nutrition, Ringer's solution), aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, heparin, or certain live vaccines (BCG, oral typhoid). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including diarrhea; stomach or bowel problems (eg, colitis, inflammation, infection); a blood clotting problem; gallbladder disease; low vitamin K levels; poor nutrition; a history of liver or kidney problems; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem), or if you are using a medicine or supplement that contains calcium. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if the patient is a newborn (younger than 29 days old) with high blood bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) or jaundice. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include muscle spasms and seizures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.

The information in this monograph is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This information is generalized and is not intended as specific medical advice. If you have questions about the medicines you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.