From the Guidelines
IV ceftriaxone for urinary tract infection (UTI) should be administered once daily.
Dosing Frequency
- The dosing frequency of IV ceftriaxone for UTI is supported by the European Association of Urology guidelines, which suggest a daily dose of 1-2 g 1.
- This is consistent with other evidence, such as the evaluation and management of well-appearing febrile infants, which recommends ceftriaxone IV or IM (50 mg/kg per dose every 24 h) for UTI 1.
Key Points
- The daily dose of IV ceftriaxone for UTI can range from 1-2 g 1.
- The dosing frequency is once daily, with some studies suggesting a dose of 50 mg/kg per dose every 24 h for infants 1.
- It is essential to note that the specific dose and dosing frequency may vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and other factors, and should be guided by local antibiograms and clinical judgment.
From the Research
Dosing Frequency of IV Ceftriaxone for UTI
- The dosing frequency of IV ceftriaxone for urinary tract infection (UTI) has been studied in several clinical trials 2, 3, 4.
- One study compared the efficacy of ceftriaxone given once-a-day to cefazolin given three times daily for the treatment of complicated and uncomplicated UTIs, and found that ceftriaxone was effective when given once-a-day 2.
- Another study found that ceftriaxone achieved very high levels in urine and proximate tissue following single daily doses, and clinical and bacteriologic results in infections due to susceptible organisms were excellent 3.
- A study comparing a single intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone to a standard five-day regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole found that the ceftriaxone group cure rate was 90%, which was not significantly different from the control group 4.
- The recommended dosing frequency of IV ceftriaxone for UTI is once daily, based on the studies that have demonstrated its efficacy in treating UTIs with a single daily dose 2, 3, 4.
Considerations for Ceftriaxone Therapy
- Ceftriaxone therapy should be considered carefully in patients with complicated UTIs due to the possibility of enterococcal re-infection and consequent prolonged hospital stay 5.
- The choice of cephalosporin dosage regimens for UTIs should be directed by in vitro susceptibility tests, and newer agents such as ceftazidime and cefsulodin have been shown to be effective in infections due to P. aeruginosa 6.