From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of ceftriaxone for the treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is 1 g administered intravenously or intramuscularly, as indicated in the guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women 1.
Key Considerations
- Ceftriaxone is generally reserved for more severe infections, hospitalized patients, or cases with suspected resistance to oral antibiotics.
- The medication works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many gram-negative organisms commonly causing UTIs, including Escherichia coli.
- Before starting treatment, a urine culture should be obtained to confirm the causative organism and its susceptibility.
- Patients should be monitored for side effects including diarrhea, allergic reactions, and potential Clostridioides difficile infection.
- Adequate hydration should be maintained throughout treatment.
- Once clinical improvement occurs and susceptibility results are available, therapy may be switched to an appropriate oral antibiotic to complete the treatment course.
Dosage and Administration
- The dose of 1 g of ceftriaxone is recommended for the treatment of UTIs, as stated in the guidelines 1.
- The medication can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
- The treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to therapy.
Special Considerations
- In cases where the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance is thought to exceed 10%, an initial 1-time intravenous dose of a long-acting parenteral antimicrobial, such as 1 g of ceftriaxone, is recommended 1.
- Ceftriaxone is also effective against gonococcal infections, and the recommended dose for the treatment of gonococcal urethritis, cervix, rectum is 125-250 mg IM in a single dose, as stated in the guideline on antimicrobial therapy of sexually transmitted diseases in Taiwan 1.
From the Research
Recommended Dose of Ceftriaxone for UTI Treatment
The recommended dose of ceftriaxone for the treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI) can be determined based on the following studies:
- A study published in 1989 2 administered ceftriaxone at a dose of either 1 g or 2 g once a day by intravenous injection for 5 days, resulting in an overall clinical efficacy of 91%.
- Another study published in 1984 3 compared the efficacy of ceftriaxone given once-a-day at a dose of 1 g with cefazolin given three times daily, and found that ceftriaxone was effective in treating both complicated and uncomplicated UTIs.
- A study published in 1983 4 used a single intravenous daily dosage regimen of ceftriaxone over a 5-day period to treat complicated UTIs, with successful treatment in 13 out of 15 cases.
- A study published in 1991 5 noted that ceftriaxone achieves high levels in urine and proximate tissue following single daily doses, resulting in excellent clinical and bacteriologic results.
- A study published in 1985 6 used a single intramuscular dose of 500 mg of ceftriaxone to treat acute UTIs, resulting in a cure rate of 92% at 1 week after treatment.
Key Findings
Key findings from these studies include:
- Ceftriaxone can be effective in treating UTIs at a dose of 1 g once a day by intravenous injection for 5 days 2, 3.
- A single intramuscular dose of 500 mg of ceftriaxone can also be effective in treating acute UTIs 6.
- Ceftriaxone achieves high levels in urine and proximate tissue following single daily doses, resulting in excellent clinical and bacteriologic results 5.