Drug interactions
Calcium gluconate + Ceftriaxone
Severity: Contraindicated
Calcium gluconate and Ceftriaxone: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ceftriaxone can form insoluble ceftriaxone-calcium salts when it meets calcium-containing solutions. Fatal cases have occurred in neonates with crystalline deposits in the lungs and kidneys. Precipitation can also occur in the infusion line or in the body after separate infusions.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium gluconate and Ceftriaxone are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Calcium gluconate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ceftriaxone belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Ceftriaxone binds calcium to form poorly soluble ceftriaxone-calcium precipitate.
What to do
Never mix or co-infuse ceftriaxone with calcium-containing IV solutions, and in neonates avoid concurrent use entirely. In patients older than 28 days, give sequentially only with thorough line flushing between infusions using a compatible fluid.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Calcium gluconate and Ceftriaxone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ceftriaxone
- Calcium chloride + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Calcium + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Ceftriaxone + Lactated ringer's Contraindicated
- Ceftriaxone + Ringer's solution Contraindicated
- Calcium acetate + Ceftriaxone Major
- Ceftriaxone + Lactated Ringer's solution Major
Other interactions of Calcium gluconate
- Calcium gluconate + Digoxin Major
- Alendronate + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-atorvastatin + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-perindopril + Calcium gluconate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium gluconate with Ceftriaxone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Calcium gluconate and Ceftriaxone are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Ceftriaxone can form insoluble ceftriaxone-calcium salts when it meets calcium-containing solutions. Fatal cases have occurred in neonates with crystalline deposits in the lungs and kidneys. Precipitation can also occur in the infusion line or in the body after separate infusions.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium gluconate and Ceftriaxone?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Never mix or co-infuse ceftriaxone with calcium-containing IV solutions, and in neonates avoid concurrent use entirely. In patients older than 28 days, give sequentially only with thorough line flushing between infusions using a compatible fluid.
What other medicines interact with Ceftriaxone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ceftriaxone with, for example, Calcium chloride, Calcium, Lactated ringer's. The full list is on the Ceftriaxone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
