Ceftriaxone Viatris (Ceftriaxone Sodium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ceftriaxone Viatris Used For?
Ceftriaxone Viatris is a powerful antibiotic that belongs to a group called cephalosporins. It works by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing to treat infections throughout your body.
Primary Uses
Ceftriaxone Viatris treats bacterial infections in different parts of the body and is also used to prevent infections before, during, and after surgery. It will not work against viral infections like colds or flu.
How It Works
This antibiotic works by killing the bacteria causing your infection or by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying.
Good to know: Ceftriaxone Viatris is not addictive.
How Ceftriaxone Viatris Is Given
Ceftriaxone Viatris must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting. It cannot be taken at home.
Administration Methods
The medication can be given in two ways: as a slow injection into a vein or as a deep injection into a large muscle. Your doctor will decide the dose and treatment length based on your infection and factors like your weight. For most infections, it’s usually given once a day for 4-14 days. Sometimes only a single dose is needed.
Important Administration Notes
Ceftriaxone Viatris should not be mixed or given with calcium-containing solutions, even through different IV lines.
Important: This medication is only given by healthcare professionals – you cannot take it yourself at home.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
- Vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina, sometimes with white discharge)
- Hard lump, swelling, pain or tenderness at injection site
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Taste disturbances
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe skin rash, itching or hives
- Red, blistering, peeling or flaking skin
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Swelling of hands, feet or ankles
- Chest pain with allergic reactions
- Tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale appearance, yellowing of skin/eyes
- Severe diarrhea (may contain blood and mucus), stomach pain, and fever
- Reduced ability to think clearly, memory loss, drowsiness, seizures, muscle twitches, personality changes
Important Warnings
Before receiving Ceftriaxone Viatris, it’s crucial that your doctor knows about your medical history and any allergies you may have.
Who Should Not Receive Ceftriaxone Viatris
You should not receive this medication if you’ve had an allergic reaction to ceftriaxone sodium, other cephalosporins, or penicillin. Newborns requiring calcium-containing IV solutions should not receive this medication. It should also not be given to preterm newborns or newborns with certain liver disorders.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, bowel conditions (like inflammation of the large bowel), previous antibiotic-associated diarrhea, or previous intestinal infection with Clostridium difficile bacteria. Also inform them about any allergies to lidocaine or other anesthetic drugs that may be used to dissolve the medication.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Ceftriaxone Viatris during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with Ceftriaxone Viatris or affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medications you’re taking.
Birth Control: Talk to your doctor about additional contraception methods while using Ceftriaxone Viatris, as some antibiotics may decrease birth control pill effectiveness.
- Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin®, Chlorsig®)
- Fluconazole (antifungal medicine)
- Amsacrine (cancer treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Ceftriaxone Viatris generally doesn’t affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but some people may experience dizziness.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the medication information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Ceftriaxone Viatris affects you. While it generally doesn’t cause problems with driving ability, it may cause dizziness in some people.
Storage
Ceftriaxone Viatris will be stored in the pharmacy or hospital ward. The powder is kept in its original container in a cool, dry place protected from light and moisture, at temperatures below 25°C. Once mixed, the solution should be used immediately but can be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze the mixed solution.
Overdose Information
Since Ceftriaxone Viatris is given by medical professionals, overdose is unlikely. However, if too much is given, symptoms may include skin reactions, chills, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, or dizziness. If overdose occurs, immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your infection symptoms don’t improve within a few days or get worse, tell your doctor. The length of treatment is usually 4-14 days, depending on your specific infection.
No, Ceftriaxone Viatris is not addictive.
Some medications may interfere with Ceftriaxone Viatris, including chloramphenicol, fluconazole, and amsacrine. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
If you get severe diarrhea, tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist immediately, even if it occurs several weeks after treatment has stopped. Don’t take any diarrhea medicine without checking with your doctor first, as diarrhea may indicate a serious bowel condition.
You should not receive Ceftriaxone Viatris if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to penicillins, as you may have an increased chance of being allergic to this medication as well.
Tell your doctor if you develop a sore or white furry mouth or tongue, or if you experience vaginal itching or discharge. These may be signs of a fungal infection called thrush, which can occur because Ceftriaxone Viatris doesn’t work against fungi.
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Ceftriaxone Viatris in these situations.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.