Rocephin Shot: Uses & Side Effects

Your doctor may prescribe a Rocephin injection to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, meningitis, and infections of the ears, lungs, urinary tract, skin, bones, blood, joints and abdomen. You may even get a Rocephin injection before certain types of surgery to ensure you don't develop an infection after the procedure. Rocephin belongs to the class of medications known as cephalosporin antibiotics, so it is not effective against fly, colds, or other viral infections.

The injection is available in a liquid form that can be injected both intramuscularly or intravenously. Your doctor will consider your condition and may choose to give you a single dose a day – they may even give a Rocephin shot twice a day for 4-14 days. It is possible to administer the injection at home, but it is better to visit a doctor's office to avoid any complications. Be sure to take it at the same time every day if you're using it at home. Always pay close attention to any directions on your prescription label and never exceed the recommended dose.

You will experience some relief from your symptoms after a few days of taking a Rocephin shot. You should, however, get in touch with your doctor if your symptoms don't improve or you experience any Rocephin side effects. If you feel better after a few shots, it is important to use it until you finish the prescription. Never skip doses or stop too early because you feel better. This may make the bacteria resistant to Rocephin.

Just like other antibiotics, there are certain side effects associated with the use of Rocephin. You may develop an allergy after taking a Rocephin shot. You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling on your lips, face, or throat; difficulty breathing and hives.

Some of the most common and less serious Rocephin side effects include the following:

• A hard lump at the site of the injection

• Vomiting, nausea and upset stomach

• Swelling and pain in your tongue

• Excessive sweating

• Vaginal discharge with itching

• Dizziness, headache and overactive reflexes

You may sometimes experience less common yet serious side effects after taking a Rocephin shot. For instance:

• Bloody or watery diarrhea

• General feeling of being ill with chills, fever, rash and swollen glands

• Sores or white patches on your lips or inside the mouth

• Unusual bleeding with red or purple spots under your skin

• Bruising, skin rash, numbness, severe tingling and muscle weakness

• Stomach pain with chalky-colored stools

• Bloating, heartburn, stomach pain and nausea

Be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the abovementioned serious side effects of using Rocephin.

You should avoid using Rocephin if you have allergy to Rocephin or other similar antibiotics, such as Raniclor, Ancef, Duricef, Omnicef, Vantin, Spectracef, Cefzil, Keflex, Ceftin, Cedax or Velosef. It is equally important to understand that the use of Rocephin may lead to serious side effects if you have an existing medical condition. Be sure to inform your doctor about any of the following conditions before you start using Rocephin.

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Gallbladder disease

• Diabetes

• Intestinal or stomach disorder

Also, tell your doctor if you're malnourished or have an allergy to penicillin before using Rocephin. Moreover, the antibiotic is not supposed to cause any harm to an unborn baby, but it is still important to tell your doctor if you're pregnant. You should, however, avoid using the medication if you're nursing a baby because Rocephin can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Avoid using it in children.