Ceftriaxone

Pronounced sef-try-AX-one

Brand names: Rocephin

Type: Cephalosporin antibiotic · All Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

What Ceftriaxone is used for

  • Pneumonia
  • Meningitis (hospital)
  • Gonorrhea
  • Serious urinary and abdominal infections (hospital)
  • Lyme disease affecting the nervous system

◆ Kidney note

No dose change is usually needed for the kidneys alone, which makes it convenient in kidney disease.

Common side effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Pain at injection sites
  • Rash
  • Nausea

Important cautions

  • Must not be mixed with calcium-containing IV fluids in newborns
  • People with a serious penicillin allergy should discuss alternatives

How it comes

Injection (hospital or clinic). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Related medicines — Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.