Ceftriaxone (marketed as Rocephin and generics)

Audience: Neonatology, infectious disease healthcare professionals, hospital risk managers

[UPDATE 06/11/2009] Dear Healthcare Professional Letter issued by Roche.

[Posted 04/14/2009] FDA notified healthcare professionals of an update to a previous alert that addresses the interaction of ceftriaxone with calcium-containing products, based on previously reported fatal cases in neonates. At the request of FDA, the manufacturer of ceftriaxone (Roche) conducted two in vitro studies to assess the potential for precipitation of ceftriaxone-calcium when ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products are mixed in vials and in infusion lines. These two in vitro studies were conducted in neonatal and adult plasma to assess the potential for precipitation of ceftriaxone-calcium using varying ceftriaxone and calcium concentrations, including concentrations in excess of those achieved in vivo. Based on the results from these studies, FDA now recommends that ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products may be used concomitantly in patients >28 days of age, using the precautionary recommendations noted because the risk of precipitation is low in this population. FDA had previously recommended, but no longer recommends, that in all age groups ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products should not be administered within 48 hours of one another.

[May 2009 - Dear Healthcare Professional Letter - Roche]
[April 14, 2009 - Information for Healthcare Professionals - Ceftriaxone - FDA]