Which infections can ceftriaxone be used to treat?

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Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that functions by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including those affecting the following areas and conditions:123

  • Respiratory and urinary tracts2
  • Skin and soft tissues2
  • Blood (septicemia)2
  • Abdominal cavity2
  • Bone and joints2
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease2
  • Gonorrhea2
  • Meningitis2

As a third-generation agent, ceftriaxone offers increased activity against gram-negative organisms, such as Haemophilus influenzae and various Neisseria species, compared to earlier generations of cephalosporins. Because it shares a structural similarity with penicillin, patients with a known penicillin allergy may experience hypersensitivity reactions when taking this medication.3