From the Research
Ceftriaxone is not available in an oral form, but recent studies have explored the development of an oral formulation, such as an enteric-coated tablet, which has shown promising results in terms of bioavailability 1. However, as of now, ceftriaxone is only administered as an injectable medication, typically given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM). This limitation exists because ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, has poor oral bioavailability, meaning it would not be adequately absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract to reach effective therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. For patients requiring cephalosporin therapy who need an oral option, alternatives include:
- cefixime
- cefpodoxime
- cefuroxime, which are specifically formulated for oral administration. These oral cephalosporins have different pharmacokinetic properties that allow for intestinal absorption. If a patient was prescribed ceftriaxone but prefers an oral medication, they should consult their healthcare provider to discuss appropriate oral alternatives based on their specific infection, severity, and bacterial susceptibility patterns. It's worth noting that some studies have investigated the use of oral cefpodoxime proxetil as a step-down therapy after initial treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone, which has shown to be effective and cost-beneficial 2. Additionally, other studies have compared the efficacy of ceftriaxone with other oral cephalosporins, such as cefixime, in the treatment of various infections 3. However, the development of an oral formulation of ceftriaxone itself is a relatively new area of research, and more studies are needed to fully assess its safety and efficacy 1.