Many Alabama doctors are pausing the use of a popular antibiotic following a recent warning issued by the state’s public health department.
According to the release, the department is investigating eleven reports of potential adverse events after injections of ceftriaxone, otherwise known as Rocephin, that have occurred throughout the state in the last few months.
The drug is used to treat bacterial infections like E. coli, pneumonia, or meningitis and is also used to prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery, according to the FDA website.
Some of the cases reviewed showed signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, including hives, pruritis [itchy skin], hypotension, and hypoxia [low oxygen], the release said.
The health department said all such cases have been successfully treated.
“Persons investigated have had a variety of comorbid conditions and no specific causal link between ceftriaxone and these reactions has been identified at this time,” the release reads.
“Out of an abundance of caution, ADPH will continue to collaborate with healthcare partners to investigate the possibility of epidemiologic links between these events or in connection to receipt of injections of this antibiotic, related diluting substances, or steroid medications often administered in conjunction with antibiotics in healthcare setting.”
Although the release did not specify where the adverse reactions had been reported, several clinics in north Alabama have issued alerts about pausing use of the drug.
Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile medical centers have not issued any alerts as of 10 a.m.
The ADPH release added that “while this investigation is ongoing, it is important to keep in mind that, as with any injectable antibiotic, allergic reactions can occur, and measure should be taken to monitor and respond appropriately to such reactions.”
“Cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, can cause allergic reaction between 0.5% to 2.5% of patients.”
The department advised healthcare providers to report potential adverse events related to ceftriaxone at https://redcap.link/AdverseEventReport or to the FDA at MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program | FDA.
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