Sodium Content in 1 g Rocephin (Ceftriaxone) for IM Injection
1 gram of Rocephin (ceftriaxone) for IM injection contains approximately 83 mg (3.6 mEq) of sodium per gram of ceftriaxone activity. 1
Detailed Information About Ceftriaxone Sodium Content
The sodium content in ceftriaxone is important to know when administering this medication, particularly for patients who may be on sodium-restricted diets or those with conditions sensitive to sodium intake. According to the FDA drug label, ceftriaxone is formulated as a disodium salt, which contributes to its sodium content 1.
Chemical Composition
- Ceftriaxone sodium is chemically described as (6R,7R)-7-[2-(2-Amino-4-thiazolyl)glyoxylamido]-8-oxo-3-[[(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-5,6-dioxo-as-triazin-3-yl)thio]methyl]-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 72-(Z)-(O-methyloxime), disodium salt, sesquaterhydrate
- Molecular weight: 661.60
Reconstitution Considerations for IM Administration
When preparing ceftriaxone for intramuscular injection, several factors should be considered:
Diluent Options
- Standard diluent is sterile water for injection
- Lidocaine hydrochloride (1%) can be used as a diluent to reduce injection pain 2
- Studies have shown significantly reduced pain at the injection site when lidocaine is used as a diluent compared to sterile water 2
Administration Notes
- Ceftriaxone IM injections are known to be painful 2
- When reconstituted, the solution ranges from light yellow to amber, depending on concentration, storage time, and diluent used 1
- Complete absorption occurs rapidly following intramuscular administration 3
Clinical Pharmacokinetics
Ceftriaxone has unique pharmacokinetic properties that make it suitable for once-daily dosing:
- Exceptionally long elimination half-life (5.8-8.7 hours, mean 6.5 hours) 4, 3
- After IM injection of 1g, mean peak plasma concentrations reach approximately 81 μg/mL 5
- Plasma concentrations from IM administration become equivalent to IV administration by 2.5 hours post-dose 5
- Distributes well throughout body spaces, including cerebrospinal fluid when inflammation is present 4
Important Considerations
- The sodium content (83 mg/g) should be considered when treating patients with sodium restriction
- No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with renal dysfunction alone, but may be needed with combined hepatic and renal dysfunction 4
- Ceftriaxone is not significantly removed by hemodialysis 3
This information is particularly relevant for clinicians who need to calculate total sodium intake for patients on restricted diets while ensuring appropriate antimicrobial therapy.