From the Guidelines
Rocephin (ceftriaxone) is recommended as a preferred parenteral regimen for the treatment of Lyme disease, with a dosage of 2 g intravenously once per day for adults and 50–75 mg/kg intravenously per day in a single dose (maximum, 2 g) for children. According to the clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1, ceftriaxone is an effective treatment option for Lyme disease, particularly in cases with neurologic involvement or advanced atrioventricular heart block. The guidelines also note that ceftriaxone is not superior to oral agents and may cause serious adverse effects, but it is a recommended option for parenteral treatment.
Some key points to consider when using Rocephin for Lyme disease treatment include:
- Dosage: 2 g intravenously once per day for adults, and 50–75 mg/kg intravenously per day in a single dose (maximum, 2 g) for children 1
- Indications: Neurologic involvement or advanced atrioventricular heart block, as well as cases where oral treatment is not effective or tolerated 1
- Potential side effects: Allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and risk of C. difficile infection, among others
- Contraindications: Known cephalosporin allergies or certain gallbladder conditions
It is essential to note that the treatment of Lyme disease should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition and medical history, and that Rocephin should only be used under medical supervision. Additionally, patients should complete the full course of treatment as prescribed to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure complete eradication of the infection. As stated in the guidelines, ceftriaxone is not recommended for treatment of patients with early Lyme disease in the absence of neurologic involvement or advanced atrioventricular heart block 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy Ceftriaxone for injection USP is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible organisms: Lower Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis or Serratia marcescens Acute Bacterial Otitis Media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase producing strains) or Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains). Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii*, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bacteroides fragilis* or Peptostreptococcus species Urinary Tract Infections (complicated and uncomplicated) caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Morganella morganii or Klebsiella pneumoniae Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral and rectal) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including both penicillinase- and nonpenicillinase-producing strains, and pharyngeal gonorrhea caused by nonpenicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The main indications of Rocephin (Ceftriaxone) are:
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Acute Bacterial Otitis Media
- Skin and Skin Structure Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Uncomplicated Gonorrhea
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Bacterial Septicemia
- Bone and Joint Infections
- Intra-Abdominal Infections
- Meningitis
- Surgical Prophylaxis 2
From the Research
Overview of Rocephin
- Rocephin, also known as ceftriaxone, is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria 3.
- It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly and has a long half-life, allowing for once-daily administration 3.
Efficacy of Rocephin
- Rocephin has been shown to be effective in treating various infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and pediatric meningitis 3, 4.
- It has also been used to treat postoperative infections, with a global clinical success rate of around 90% 5.
- In pediatric patients, once-daily dosing of Rocephin has been shown to be effective and safe, with bacteriologic and clinical cure rates of 91% and 96%, respectively 6.
Comparison with Other Antibiotics
- Rocephin has been compared to other antibiotics, such as cefazolin and vancomycin, and has been shown to have similar or superior efficacy in some cases 4, 7.
- In a study comparing Rocephin to cefazolin, Rocephin was found to have a higher clinical success rate, especially in infections caused by multiple organisms 4.
- Another study compared Rocephin to vancomycin plus aztreonam and found that Rocephin was noninferior in treating complicated skin and skin structure infections 7.