Wednesday October 3, 2007
Rocephin and calcium !


The safety labeling for IV ceftriaxone (Rocephin) has been updated by FDA to describe the potential risks associated with concomitant use of calcium or calcium-containing solutions in patients of any age (despite most reports are from neonates).

Per Roche, the maker of Rocephin, "the theoretical possibility exists for an interaction between ceftriaxone and IV calcium-containing solutions in patients other than neonates." Therefore, the use of ceftriaxone with calcium products is now contraindicated in all age groups.

Cases of fatal reactions with calcium-ceftriaxone precipitates in the lungs and kidneys have been reported in both term and premature neonates. Some of these cases occurred even when ceftriaxone and the calcium-containing products were administered by different routes at different times.

Because of the risk for particulate precipitation, ceftriaxone should not be mixed with calcium-containing solutions/products or reconstituted with calcium-containing diluents such as Ringer's or Hartmann's solution. Concomitant administration of ceftriaxone with calcium-containing solutions or products is likewise contraindicated, even via different infusion lines; 48 hours should elapse between the last dose of ceftriaxone and their use.


Reference: click to get article/abstract

1. IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, fda - medwatch - Ceftriazone - August 2007