Short-Term Side Effects

Like most medicines, Ceftriaxone can result to side effects. However, not all patients who take this drug will experience these symptoms. Most of the time, people who take this drug are able to tolerate the medication well. Short term side effects can be considered as minor, meaning that there is no treatment required for them to subside.  The most commonly reported side effect of the drug is minor swelling at the injection site. Some users also experience unexplained rash, diarrhea, and increase in liver enzymes.

Long-Term Side Effects

The long term use of Ceftriaxone may put a user at risk of serious side effects like severe diarrhea, blood in stools, or throat and mouth sores. Other people who have used the drug for a long time also experienced severe rashes, itching, unexplained bleeding, difficulty in swallowing, peeling of the skin, and swelling of the throat.  Other long term side effects are upset stomach, headaches, chills, dizziness, vaginitis or inflammation of the vagina, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, or low blood platelet. Patients using Ceftriaxone should stop taking the drug if any of these side effects manifest.

How It Works

Ceftriaxone prevents the bacteria from producing and maintaining their cell wall which is critical to their existence. Without the cell wall of bacteria, the drug is able to help the immune system kill the bacteria and prevent them from infecting other parts of the body.

Interactions

Drugs like warfarin such as Coumadin and Jantoven should not be taken alongside Ceftriaxone, as the body may metabolize these drugs differently than intended. Likewise, probenecid drugs like Benemid and Probalan have the same effects on the body when taken with Ceftriaxone.  Finally, drugs containing calcium may bind to this drug and result to dangerous deposits in the kidneys and lungs.

Generic Alternatives

If the use of Ceftriaxone results to serious side effects, a doctor may prescribe alternatives like cefepime.