Wednesday September 16, 2009
Warning: Ceftriaxone (Rocephin®)—Calcium Interaction

The FDA has warning about Ceftriaxone—Calcium interactions due to potential precipitate/crystalline formation in the IV tubing or vasculature when the two agents are combined. These reactions are potentially lethal. This includes all calcium-containing infusions (e.g. Lactated Ringers, Total Parenteral Nutrition).

Data is not available on interactions between ceftriaxone and oral calcium products or intramuscular ceftriaxone and calcium containing products.

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. The use of ceftriaxone with calcium products is now contraindicated in all age groups.

Ceftriaxone and Calcium containing solutions should not be administered at different times via different infusion lines or within 48 hours of each other in any patient of any age.



http://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch