What it means
A broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria by stopping them from building their cell walls. It is used for pneumonia, meningitis, gonorrhea, serious urinary and abdominal infections, and Lyme disease, and is usually given once or twice a day. Side effects include diarrhea (including C. difficile), rash and pain at the injection site.
For the nurse
Ask about allergies to penicillins and cephalosporins. Do not give it at the same time as IV solutions that contain calcium, and never to newborns who are receiving IV calcium, because a solid can form in the lungs and kidneys. Do not confuse it with cefazolinsef-AY-zoh-linA first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.Full entry .
At a glance
| Drug class | cephalosporin antibiotic (third generation) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Rocephin |
| Spanish | ceftriaxona |
| Also written | Rocephin |
Easy to confuse with
cefazolin
A first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.
Related terms
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
penicillins
A group of antibiotics, including penicillin and amoxicillin, that kill bacteria by stopping them from building their cell walls.
bacterial infection
An infection caused by bacteria growing in the body.
cefazolin
A first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.