Ceftriaxone - Ceftriaxone Sodium injection, Solution prescribing information
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Before instituting treatment with Ceftriaxone Injection, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Ceftriaxone Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Ceftriaxone Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Ceftriaxone Injection is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible organisms:
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis or Serratia marcescens.
ACUTE BACTERIAL OTITIS MEDIA caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase producing strains) or Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains).
NOTE: In one study lower clinical cure rates were observed with a single dose of ceftriaxone compared to 10 days of oral therapy. In a second study comparable cure rates were observed between single dose ceftriaxone and the comparator. The potentially lower clinical cure rate of ceftriaxone should be balanced against the potential advantages of parenteral therapy.
SKIN AND SKIN STRUCTURE INFECTIONS caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes , Viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii ,• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bacteroides fragilis • or Peptostreptococcus species.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (complicated and uncomplicated) caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Morganella morganii or Klebsiella pneumoniae .
UNCOMPLICATED GONORRHEA (cervical/urethral and rectal) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , including both penicillinase-and nonpenicillinase-producing strains, and pharyngeal gonorrhea caused by nonpenicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae .
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae . Ceftriaxone, like other cephalosporins, has no activity against Chlamydia trachomatis . Therefore, when cephalosporins are used in the treatment of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the suspected pathogens, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added.
BACTERIAL SEPTICEMIA caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae or Klebsiella pneumoniae .
BONE AND JOINT INFECTIONS caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Enterobacter species.
INTRA-ABDOMINAL INFECTIONS caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium species (Note: most strains of Clostridioides difficile are resistant) or Peptostreptococcus species.
MENINGITIS caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Ceftriaxone has also been used successfully in a limited number of cases of meningitis and shunt infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis • and Escherichia coli .•
•Efficacy for this organism in this organ system was studied in fewer than ten infections.
SURGICAL PROPHYLAXIS: The preoperative administration of a single 1 gm dose of ceftriaxone may reduce the incidence of postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated ( e.g. , vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy or cholecystectomy for chronic calculous cholecystitis in high-risk patients, such as those over 70 years of age, with acute cholecystitis not requiring therapeutic antimicrobials, obstructive jaundice or common duct bile stones) and in surgical patients for whom infection at the operative site would present serious risk ( e.g. , during coronary artery bypass surgery). Although ceftriaxone has been shown to have been as effective as cefazolin in the prevention of infection following coronary artery bypass surgery, no placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate any cephalosporin antibiotic in the prevention of infection following coronary artery bypass surgery.
When administered prior to surgical procedures for which it is indicated, a single 1 gm dose of ceftriaxone provides protection from most infections due to susceptible organisms throughout the course of the procedure.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ceftriaxone Injection is administered intravenously.
Do not further dilute ceftriaxone injection with products containing calcium, such as Ringer’s solution or Hartmann’s solution, because a precipitate can form. Precipitation of ceftriaxone-calcium can also occur when ceftriaxone is mixed with calcium-containing solutions in the same IV administration line. Ceftriaxone must not be administered simultaneously with calcium-containing IV solutions, including continuous calcium-containing infusions such as parenteral nutrition via a Y-site. However, in patients other than neonates, ceftriaxone and calcium-containing solutions may be administered sequentially of one another if the infusion lines are thoroughly flushed between infusions with a compatible fluid (see WARNINGS ).
There have been no reports of an interaction between ceftriaxone and oral calcium-containing products.
Neonates
Hyperbilirubinemic neonates, especially prematures, should not be treated with Ceftriaxone Injection (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).
Ceftriaxone is contraindicated in neonates if they require (or are expected to require) treatment with calcium-containing IV solutions, including continuous calcium-containing infusions such as parenteral nutrition because of the risk of precipitation of ceftriaxone-calcium (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).
Pediatric Patients
For the treatment of skin and skin structure infections, the recommended total daily dose is 50 to 75 mg/kg given once a day (or in equally divided doses twice a day). The total daily dose should not exceed 2 grams.
For the treatment of serious miscellaneous infections other than meningitis, the recommended total daily dose is 50 to 75 mg/kg, given in divided doses every 12 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 2 grams.
In the treatment of meningitis, it is recommended that the initial therapeutic dose be 100 mg/kg (not to exceed 4 grams). Thereafter, a total daily dose of 100 mg/kg/day (not to exceed 4 grams daily) is recommended. The daily dose may be administered once a day (or in equally divided doses every 12 hours). The usual duration of therapy is 7 to 14 days.
Adults
The usual adult daily dose is 1 to 2 grams given once a day (or in equally divided doses twice a day) depending on the type and severity of infection. For infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), the recommended daily dose is 2 to 4 grams, in order to achieve >90% target attainment. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 grams.
If Chlamydia trachomatis is a suspected pathogen, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added, because ceftriaxone sodium has no activity against this organism.
For preoperative use (surgical prophylaxis), a single dose of 1 gram administered intravenously 1/2 to 2 hours before surgery is recommended.
Generally, Ceftriaxone Injection therapy should be continued for at least 2 days after the signs and symptoms of infection have disappeared. The usual duration of therapy is 4 to 14 days; in complicated infections, longer therapy may be required.
When treating infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes , therapy should be continued for at least 10 days.
No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with impairment of hepatic impairment or mild to moderate renal impairment.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Ceftriaxone Injection is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.
Neonates (≤28 days)
Hyperbilirubinemic neonates, especially prematures, should not be treated with Ceftriaxone Injection. In vitro studies have shown that ceftriaxone can displace bilirubin from its binding to serum albumin, leading to a possible risk of bilirubin encephalopathy in these patients.
Ceftriaxone Injection is contraindicated in neonates if they require (or are expected to require) treatment with calcium-containing IV solutions, including continuous calcium-containing infusions such as parenteral nutrition because of the risk of precipitation of ceftriaxone-calcium (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ).
A small number of cases of fatal outcomes in which a crystalline material was observed in the lungs and kidneys at autopsy have been reported in neonates receiving ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids. In some of these cases, the same intravenous infusion line was used for both ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids and in some a precipitate was observed in the intravenous infusion line. At least one fatality has been reported in a neonate in whom ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids were administered at different time points via different intravenous lines; no crystalline material was observed at autopsy in this neonate. There have been no similar reports in patients other than neonates.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Ceftriaxone is generally well tolerated. In clinical trials, the following adverse reactions, which were considered to be related to ceftriaxone therapy or of uncertain etiology, were observed:
LOCAL REACTIONS — pain, induration and tenderness was 1% overall. Phlebitis was reported in <1% after IV administration.
HYPERSENSITIVITY — rash (1.7%). Less frequently reported (<1%) were pruritus, fever or chills.
HEMATOLOGIC — eosinophilia (6%), thrombocytosis (5.1%) and leukopenia (2.1%). Less frequently reported (<1%) were anemia, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and prolongation of the prothrombin time.
GASTROINTESTINAL — diarrhea (2.7%). Less frequently reported (<1%) were nausea or vomiting, and dysgeusia. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment (see WARNINGS ).
HEPATIC — elevations of SGOT (3.1%) or SGPT (3.3%). Less frequently reported (<1%) were elevations of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin.
RENAL — elevations of the BUN (1.2%). Less frequently reported (<1%) were elevations of creatinine and the presence of casts in the urine.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM — headache or dizziness were reported occasionally (<1%).
GENITOURINARY — moniliasis or vaginitis were reported occasionally (<1%).
MISCELLANEOUS — diaphoresis and flushing were reported occasionally (<1%).
Other rarely observed adverse reactions (<0.1%) include abdominal pain, agranulocytosis, allergic pneumonitis, anaphylaxis, basophilia, biliary lithiasis, bronchospasm, colitis, dyspepsia, epistaxis, flatulence, gallbladder sludge, glycosuria, hematuria, jaundice, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, nephrolithiasis, palpitations, a decrease in the prothrombin time, renal precipitations, seizures, and serum sickness.
Postmarketing Experience
In addition to the adverse reactions reported during clinical trials, the following adverse experiences have been reported during clinical practice in patients treated with ceftriaxone. Data are generally insufficient to allow an estimate of incidence or to establish causation.
A small number of cases of fatal outcomes in which a crystalline material was observed in the lungs and kidneys at autopsy have been reported in neonates receiving ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids. In some of these cases, the same intravenous infusion line was used for both ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids and in some a precipitate was observed in the intravenous infusion line. At least one fatality has been reported in a neonate in whom ceftriaxone and calcium-containing fluids were administered at different time points via different intravenous lines; no crystalline material was observed at autopsy in this neonate. There have been no similar reports in patients other than neonates.
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDER – Acute myocardial ischemia with or without myocardial infarction may occur as part of an allergic reaction.
GASTROINTESTINAL – stomatitis and glossitis.
GENITOURINARY – oliguria.
DERMATOLOGIC – exanthema, allergic dermatitis, urticaria, edema. As with many medications, isolated cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell’s syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) have been reported.
NEUROLOGIC – Encephalopathy, seizures, myoclonus, and non-convulsive status epilepticus (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ).
Cephalosporin Class Adverse Reactions
In addition to the adverse reactions listed above which have been observed in patients treated with ceftriaxone, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory test results have been reported for cephalosporin class antibiotics:
Adverse Reactions
Allergic reactions, drug fever, serum sickness-like reaction, renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, reversible hyperactivity, hypertonia, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, aplastic anemia, hemorrhage, fall in prothrombin activity, and superinfection.
Altered Laboratory Tests
Positive direct Coombs’ test, false-positive test for urinary glucose, and elevated LDH.
Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment when the dosage was not reduced (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.
DESCRIPTION
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP is a sterile, semisynthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration. Ceftriaxone sodium is (6 R ,7 R )-7-[2-(2-Amino-4-thiazolyl)glyoxylamido]-8-oxo-3-[[(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-5,6-dioxo- as -triazin-3-yl)thio]methyl]-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7 ² -( Z )-( O -methyloxime), disodium salt, sesquaterhydrate.
The chemical formula of ceftriaxone sodium is C 18 H 16 N 8 Na 2 O 7 S 3 •7/2 H 2 O. It has a calculated molecular weight of 661.60 and the following structural formula:

Ceftriaxone Sodium, USP is a white to yellowish-orange crystalline powder which is readily soluble in water, sparingly soluble in methanol and very slightly soluble in ethanol.
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP contains approximately 83 mg (3.6 mEq) of sodium per gram of ceftriaxone activity.
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP is supplied as a frozen, iso-osmotic, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution premixed in a dextrose diluent. Dextrose, USP has been added to adjust the osmolality (approximately 1.9 g and 1.2 g as dextrose hydrous to the 1 g and 2 g dosages, respectively). The pH may be adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid. Solutions of premixed Ceftriaxone Injection, USP may range from light yellow to amber in color. After thawing, the solution is intended for intravenous use. The pH of thawed solutions may range from 6.0 to 8.0. See HOW SUPPLIED for package description.
The plastic container for the frozen solution is fabricated from a specially designed multilayer plastic. Solutions are in contact with the polyethylene layer of this container and can leach out certain chemical components of the plastic in very small amounts within the expiration period. The suitability of the plastic has been confirmed in tests in animals according to the USP biological tests for plastic containers as well as by tissue culture toxicity studies.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Average plasma concentrations of ceftriaxone following a single 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion of a 0.5, 1 or 2 gm dose in healthy subjects are presented in Table 1.
Ceftriaxone Plasma Concentrations After Single Dose Administration | |||||||||
Dose/Route | Average Plasma Concentrations (mcg/mL) | ||||||||
0.5 hr | 1 hr | 2 hr | 4 hr | 6 hr | 8 hr | 12 hr | 16 hr | 24 hr | |
0.5 gm IV IV doses were infused at a constant rate over 30 minutes. | 82 | 59 | 48 | 37 | 29 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
1 gm IV | 151 | 111 | 88 | 67 | 53 | 43 | 28 | 18 | 9 |
2 gm IV | 257 | 192 | 154 | 117 | 89 | 74 | 46 | 31 | 15 |
Multiple IV doses ranging from 0.5 to 2 gm at 12- to 24-hour intervals resulted in 15% to 36% accumulation of ceftriaxone above single dose values.
Ceftriaxone concentrations in urine are shown in Table 2.
Urinary Concentrations of Ceftriaxone After Single Dose Administration | ||||||
Dose/Route | Average Urinary Concentrations (mcg/mL) | |||||
0-2 hr | 2-4 hr | 4-8 hr | 8-12 hr | 12-24 hr | 24-48 hr | |
0.5 gm IV | 526 | 366 | 142 | 87 | 70 | 15 |
1 gm IV | 995 | 855 | 293 | 147 | 132 | 32 |
2 gm IV | 2692 | 1976 | 757 | 274 | 198 | 40 |
Thirty-three percent to 67% of a ceftriaxone dose was excreted in the urine as unchanged drug and the remainder was secreted in the bile and ultimately found in the feces as microbiologically inactive compounds. After a 1 gm IV dose, average concentrations of ceftriaxone, determined from 1 to 3 hours after dosing, were 581 mcg/mL in the gallbladder bile, 788 mcg/mL in the common duct bile, 898 mcg/mL in the cystic duct bile, 78.2 mcg/gm in the gallbladder wall and 62.1 mcg/mL in the concurrent plasma.
Over a 0.15 to 3 gm dose range in healthy adult subjects, the values of elimination half-life ranged from 5.8 to 8.7 hours; apparent volume of distribution from 5.78 to 13.5 L; plasma clearance from 0.58 to 1.45 L/hour; and renal clearance from 0.32 to 0.73 L/hour. Ceftriaxone is reversibly bound to human plasma proteins, and the binding decreased from a value of 95% bound at plasma concentrations of <25 mcg/mL to a value of 85% bound at 300 mcg/mL. Ceftriaxone crosses the blood placenta barrier.
The average values of maximum plasma concentration, elimination half-life, plasma clearance and volume of distribution after a 50 mg/kg IV dose and after a 75 mg/kg IV dose in pediatric patients suffering from bacterial meningitis are shown in Table 3. Ceftriaxone penetrated the inflamed meninges of infants and pediatric patients; CSF concentrations after a 50 mg/kg IV dose and after a 75 mg/kg IV dose are also shown in Table 3.
Average Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Ceftriaxone in Pediatric Patients With Meningitis | ||
50 mg/kg IV | 75 mg/kg IV | |
Maximum Plasma Concentrations (mcg/mL) | 216 | 275 |
Elimination Half-life (hr) | 4.6 | 4.3 |
Plasma Clearance (mL/hr/kg) | 49 | 60 |
Volume of Distribution (mL/kg) | 338 | 373 |
CSF Concentration - inflamed meninges (mcg/mL) | 5.6 | 6.4 |
Range (mcg/mL) | 1.3-18.5 | 1.3-44 |
Time after dose (hr) | 3.7 (± 1.6) | 3.3 (± 1.4) |
Compared to that in healthy adult subjects, the pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone were only minimally altered in elderly subjects and in patients with renal impairment or hepatic dysfunction (Table 4); therefore, dosage adjustments are not necessary for these patients with ceftriaxone dosages up to 2 gm per day. Ceftriaxone was not removed to any significant extent from the plasma by hemodialysis. In 6 of 26 dialysis patients, the elimination rate of ceftriaxone was markedly reduced.
Average Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Ceftriaxone in Humans | |||
Subject Group | Elimination Half-life (hr) | Plasma Clearance (L/hr) | Volume of Distribution (L) |
Healthy Subjects | 5.8-8.7 | 0.58-1.45 | 5.8-13.5 |
Elderly Subjects (mean age, 70.5 yr) | 8.9 | 0.83 | 10.7 |
Patients With Renal Impairment | |||
Hemodialysis Patients (0-5 mL/min) Creatinine clearance. | 14.7 | 0.65 | 13.7 |
Severe (5-15 mL/min) | 15.7 | 0.56 | 12.5 |
Moderate (16-30 mL/min) | 11.4 | 0.72 | 11.8 |
Mild (31-60 mL/min) | 12.4 | 0.70 | 13.3 |
Patients With Liver Disease | 8.8 | 1.1 | 13.6 |
The elimination of ceftriaxone is not altered when Ceftriaxone Injection is co-administered with probenecid.
Interaction with Calcium
Two in vitro studies, one using adult plasma and the other neonatal plasma from umbilical cord blood, have been carried out to assess interaction of ceftriaxone and calcium. Ceftriaxone concentrations up to 1 mM (in excess of concentrations achieved in vivo following administration of 2 grams ceftriaxone infused over 30 minutes) were used in combination with calcium concentrations up to 12 mM (48 mg/dL). Recovery of ceftriaxone from plasma was reduced with calcium concentrations of 6 mM (24 mg/dL) or higher in adult plasma or 4 mM (16 mg/dL) or higher in neonatal plasma. This may be reflective of ceftriaxone-calcium precipitation.
Microbiology
The bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Ceftriaxone has a high degree of stability in the presence of beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
In an in vitro study antagonistic effects have been observed with the combination of chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone.
Ceftriaxone has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.
Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms:
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
Enterobacter aerogenes
Enterobacter cloacae
Escherichia coli
Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant and beta-lactamase producing strains)
Haemophilus parainfluenzae
Klebsiella oxytoca
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains)
Morganella morganii
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including penicillinase- and nonpenicillinase-producing strains)
Neisseria meningitidis
Proteus mirabilis
Proteus vulgaris
Serratia marcescens
Ceftriaxone is also active against many strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa .
NOTE: Many strains of the above organisms that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, e.g. , penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, are susceptible to ceftriaxone.
Aerobic gram-positive microorganisms:
Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains)
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pyogenes
Viridans group streptococci
NOTE: Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are resistant to cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone. Most strains of Group D streptococci and enterococci, e.g. , Enterococcus (Streptococcus) faecalis , are resistant.
Anaerobic microorganisms:
Bacteroides fragilis
Clostridium species
Peptostreptococcus species
NOTE: Most strains of Clostridioides difficile are resistant.
The following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown . Ceftriaxone exhibits in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ≤1 mcg/mL or less against most strains of the following microorganisms, however, the safety and effectiveness of ceftriaxone in treating clinical infections due to these microorganisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials.
Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms:
Citrobacter diversus
Citrobacter freundii
Providencia species (including Providencia rettgeri )
Salmonella species (including Salmonella typhi )
Shigella species
Aerobic gram-positive microorganisms:
Streptococcus agalactiae
Anaerobic microorganisms:
Prevotella (Bacteroides) bivius
Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) melaninogenicus
Susceptibility Tests
For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: http://www.fda.gov/STIC .
HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
Ceftriaxone Injection, USP is supplied premixed as a frozen, iso-osmotic, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution of ceftriaxone sodium in a case of 24 x 50 mL single dose Galaxy containers. The following strengths are available:
1 gm equivalent of ceftriaxone, iso-osmotic with approximately 1.9 gm Dextrose Hydrous, USP, added (NDC 0338-5002-41).
2 gm equivalent of ceftriaxone, iso-osmotic with approximately 1.2 gm Dextrose Hydrous, USP, added (NDC 0338-5003-41).
NOTE: Store Ceftriaxone Injection, USP in the frozen state at or below -20°C/-4°F. See DIRECTIONS FOR USE :
Handle frozen product containers with care. Product containers may be fragile in the frozen state.