Rocephin is a prescription antibiotic that treats and prevents bacterial infections. This eMedTV page explores how Rocephin works, infections it is used to treat -- like meningitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis -- and how and when to take it.
Common side effects of Rocephin include unexplained rash, diarrhea, and pain at the injection site. This eMedTV page explains that while most Rocephin side effects are minor, some (like hives and wheezing) should be reported immediately to a doctor.
What is Rocephin used for? As this eMedTV page discusses, Rocephin can substitute for penicillin, treat infections in newborns and children, and prevent infection during surgery. Off-label Rocephin uses include treating chancroid and epididymitis.
As this eMedTV page explains, dosing with Rocephin ranges from 250 mg to 2 grams 1 to 2 times daily for bacterial infection. The starting Rocephin dose for preventing infection during surgery is 1 gram given from 30 minutes to 2 hours prior.
Some drugs that can interact with Rocephin are warfarin, probenecid, and sulfinpyrazone. This eMedTV page covers how drug interactions with Rocephin can increase the levels of this drug in the body and how your doctor may handle these interactions.
There are several precautions and warnings with Rocephin to be aware of. As this eMedTV article explains, Rocephin may interact with other drugs or lead to severe diarrhea or vaginal yeast infections in some people, as well as allergic reactions.
As this eMedTV page stresses, although Rocephin and pregnancy have not been studied in humans, a pregnant woman may take Rocephin (a pregnancy Category B medicine) if her healthcare provider believes its benefits outweigh possible risks to the fetus.
