Antibiotics like ceftriaxone are used to treat infections. Like all medications, this drug can interact with other medications and supplements and cause negative side effects. Ceftriaxone should not be used if you are receiving injections that contain calcium. If your doctor prescribes you ceftriaxone, check with her to see if the drug will interact with any other medications, especially if you are getting other intravenous medications.
Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is the generic name for the prescription drug Rocephin, an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family. It is typically prescribed to treat bacterial infections, including meningitis. Unlike other antibiotics, ceftriaxone is injected into a muscle or vein and not taken orally. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, headache, sweating, tongue pain and vaginal itching. If you exhibit more serious symptoms like watery or bloody diarrhea, confusion, severe tingling, decreased urination or confusion, call your doctor immediately, states the health information website Drugs.com. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor if this is the most appropriate medication for you; ceftriaxone is not thought to be harmful to a fetus, but your doctor may want to give you something else.
Calcium
Calcium is the most common mineral in the body, and helps to ensure healthy heart function, nerve transmission and vasodilation. It also keeps the teeth and bones strong; 99 percent of the body's calcium is found in these structures, says the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. This mineral can be found in foods like yogurt, cheese, fortified orange juice, tofu, salmon and broccoli. It may also be added to certain kinds of medications because it helps neutralize the acid in the stomach, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Interactions between Calcium and Ceftriaxone
According to Drugs.com, if you are taking intravenous medications containing calcium, like parenteral nutrition, with ceftriaxone, serious lung and kidney problems can develop, particularly in newborns. The Food and Drug Administration states that there is no data exploring the interactions between oral calcium products and intravenous ceftriaxone. Talk with your doctor if you are getting intravenous medications containing calcium; you may be able to get the medications sequentially, but not together.
Considerations
Before taking ceftriaxone, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have, and all of the supplements and medications you are taking. This drug is not appropriate for everyone, and has the potential to interact with other medications and cause adverse effects. If you take medications containing calcium, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to keep taking them, and if not, when you can resume taking them.
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