Authors

  1. Cohen, Michael R. RPH, MS, ScD

Article Content

Full-term and preterm neonates who received the antibiotic ceftriaxone (Rocephin) with calcium-containing products have had fatal reactions. In some cases, the drugs were administered concomitantly; in others the infusion lines and administration times for each drug differed. At autopsy, calcium-ceftriaxone precipitates were found in the neonates' lungs and kidneys.

 

Because of the risk to infants, the manufacturer has issued the following warnings:

 

* Don't use ceftriaxone to treat neonates who have hyperbilirubinemia, especially preterm babies.

 

* Don't mix or administer the drug simultaneously with calcium-containing products such as Ringer's solution-even through different infusion lines.

 

* Don't give calcium-containing products within 48 hours of the last administration of ceftriaxone.

 

 

You can find more information at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Rocephin.