Ceftriaxone is a powerful antibiotic recommended for a wide variety of diseases as well as to prevent infection as a result of surgical procedures. The recommended ceftriaxone dose varies according to the condition to be treated and its severity. Dosage adjustments may also be required depending on the patient's age, weight, liver health, and level of kidney function.
Adults receiving treatment for a bacterial infection may receive between 1 and 2 grams of the medication per day in one or two divided doses. The more severe the infection, the higher the ceftriaxone dose needed. If the drug is not well tolerated or if serum levels of the drug must remain constant, then multiple divided doses are preferable to a single daily dose. For the treatment of Stapylococcus aureus, which is methicillin-susceptible, the total daily ceftriaxone dose should be between 2 an 4 grams. No more than 4 grams should ever be given in a 24 hour period.
The manufacturer recommends that pediatric patients over one month of age receive an intravenous ceftriaxone dose of between 50 and 75 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight in one to two divided doses every 12 to 24 hours for severe bacterial infections. No more than 2 g should be given within a single 24 hour period. Pediatric patients with a life threatening bacterial infection may receive an intravenous ceftriaxone dose of 80 to 100 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) in one to two divided doses per day. These patients should not receive more than 4 g of the medication in a day.
The recommended ceftriaxone dose for infants less than one month old is somewhat lower than that for other pediatric patients.Infants between eight days and four weeks of age and that weigh under 4.4 lbs (2,000 g) should receive 50 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight, while heavier infants may receive between 50 and 75 mg per day. Heavier infants of the same age should receive the same dose every 24 hours. Infants between eight days and four weeks of age and that weigh under 4.4 lbs (2,000 g) should receive 50 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight, while heavier infants may receive between 50 and 75 mg per day. This medication should not be used in infants with hyperbilirubinemia, as in vitro studies have shown that ceftriaxone may cause bilirubine displacement from serum albumin in these patients, causing encephalopathy.
The dosage recommendations listed above may need to be adjusted for patients suffering from impairment to liver and kidney function. No adjustments are believed to be needed for a patient suffering from just liver or just kidney dysfunction; however, patients with lowered levels of both liver and kidney function may not require a ceftriaxone dose greater than 2 g per day. Higher doses should not be used unless serum levels of the drug are being monitored.