Ceftriaxone

Question 1

Drug Class of Ceftriaxone

Answer 1

Antibiotic

Question 2

Presentation of Ceftriaxone

Answer 2

• Vial (powder), 1 g ceftriaxone

Question 3

Schedule of Ceftriaxone

Answer 3

• S4 (Restricted drugs).

Question 4

Pharmacology of Ceftriaxone

Answer 4

Ceftriaxone is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic with 
 a bactericidal action.

Question 5

Metabolism of Ceftriaxone

Answer 5

Ceftriaxone is excreted as a variety of active and inactive metabolites from the body through urine, bile and faeces.

Question 6

Indications of Ceftriaxone

Answer 6

• Suspected meningococcal septicaemia


 (with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR 
 purpuric rash)

Question 7

Contraindications of Ceftriaxone

Answer 7

• KSAR or hypersensitivity to cephalosporin drugs
• Known anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction to penicillin based drugs – (isolated minor drug rash attributed to penicillin does not contraindicate 
 the use of ceftriaxone)

Question 8

Precautions of Ceftriaxone

Answer 8

• Nil

Question 9

Side Effects of Ceftriaxone

Answer 9

• Nausea AND/OR vomiting

* Pain at the IM administration site

Question 10

Routes of Administration for Ceftriaxone

Answer 10

Intramuscular injection (IM)
Intravenous injection (IV)
Intraosseous injection (IO)

Question 11

Onset Time of Ceftriaxone

Answer 11

Dose/route variable

Question 12

Duration Time of Ceftriaxone

Answer 12

≈ 1 day

Question 13

Half Life of Ceftriaxone

Answer 13

5.8 – 8.7 hours

Question 14

Special Notes of Ceftriaxone

Answer 14

• All cannulae and IV lines must be flushed thoroughly 
 with sodium chloride 0.9% following each medication administration.
• All parenteral medications must be prepared in an aseptic manner. The rubber stopper of all vials must be disinfected with a 3MTM Solu-IVTM swab and allowed to dry prior to piercing.

Question 15

Adult Dose of Ceftriaxone IM
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 15

1g
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of ceftriaxone with 3.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/4 mL (250 mg/mL). Single dose only.

Question 16

Adult Dose of Ceftriaxone IV
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 16

1 g

Slow push over 3 – 5 minutes.
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of ceftriaxone with 9.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/10 mL (100 mg/mL). Single dose only.

Question 17

Adult Dose of Ceftriaxone IO
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 17

1 g

Slow push over 3 – 5 minutes.
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of ceftriaxone with 9.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/10 mL (100 mg/mL). Single dose only.

Question 18

Paediatric Dose of Ceftriaxone IM
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 18

50 mg/kg (rounded up to the nearest 5 kg)
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of ceftriaxone with 3.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/4 mL (250 mg/mL).

Question 19

Paediatric Dose of Ceftriaxone IV
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 19

50 mg/kg (rounded up to the nearest 5 kg) 
 Slow push over 3–5 minutes.
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of 
ceftriaxone with 9.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/10 mL (100 mg/mL).

Question 20

Paediatric Dose of Ceftriaxone IO
Suspected meningococcal septicaemia 

(with a non-blanching petechial AND/OR purpuric rash)

Answer 20

50 mg/kg (rounded up to the nearest 5 kg) 
 Slow push over 3–5 minutes.
Syringe preparation:
Reconstitute 1 g of 
ceftriaxone with 9.6 mL of water for injection 
 in a 10 mL syringe to achieve a final concentration of 1 g/10 mL (100 mg/mL).