Ceftriaxone

• • Mechanism of Action

  • A beta lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.

• • Pharmacology

  • Crosses the blood brain barrier - useful against meningitis.

• • Microbiology

  • More active against gram negative bacteria (Haemophilus, Enterobacteriaciae), less active against gram positive bacteria and inactive against MRSA.

Clinical Use

• • Indications
  • Upper / lower respiratory tract infections
  • Skin infections
  • Urinary tract infections
• • Adverse Effects
  • Very few compared to penicillins.
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea
  • Pseudomembranous colitis (C difficile)
  • Thrombocytopaenia / leukopaenia
  • Nephrotoxicity