From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of ceftriaxone for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) is 1 g administered intravenously as an initial dose. This is based on the guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women, which recommend an initial intravenous dose of a long-acting parenteral antimicrobial, such as 1 g of ceftriaxone, when the susceptibility of the uropathogen is not known 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic effective against many gram-negative organisms commonly causing UTIs, including Escherichia coli.
- The medication is usually reserved for more severe or complicated UTIs, particularly those caused by resistant organisms or when oral antibiotics have failed.
- Patients should complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve before finishing treatment.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and pain at the injection site.
- Adequate hydration should be maintained throughout treatment to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract and reduce symptoms.
Treatment Duration
The duration of treatment with ceftriaxone for UTIs can vary depending on the severity of the infection. For uncomplicated UTIs, a shorter course of 5-7 days may be sufficient, while complicated UTIs often require the full 10-14 days of treatment.
Administration
Ceftriaxone can be administered either intravenously or intramuscularly, once daily, for the recommended duration.
Evidence Quality
The recommendation is based on high-quality evidence from clinical practice guidelines published in reputable journals, such as the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal 1.
From the Research
Ceftriaxone Dose for UTI
The recommended dose of ceftriaxone for treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is as follows:
- 1 g once a day by intravenous injection, as studied in 2, 3, 4, 5
- The dose can be administered for 5 days, as shown in 2, 6
- Ceftriaxone has been compared to other antibiotics, such as cefazolin and cefuroxime, and has been found to be effective in treating UTIs, as demonstrated in 3, 6
Efficacy of Ceftriaxone
The efficacy of ceftriaxone in treating UTIs has been studied in several trials, with results showing:
- A clinical efficacy rate of 91% in patients with complicated UTIs, as reported in 2
- A bacteriologic eradication rate of 86% in patients with complicated UTIs, as reported in 2
- Similar efficacy to cefazolin in treating complicated and uncomplicated UTIs, as shown in 3
- Equivalent efficacy to ertapenem in treating complicated UTIs, as demonstrated in 5
Administration and Safety
Ceftriaxone can be administered once a day, and has been found to be safe and well-tolerated, with: