Alabama doctors withdraw popular antibiotic after warning from state health department

Many Alabama doctors are suspending 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 reactions after injections of ceftriaxone, also known as Rocephin, that have occurred across the state in recent months.

The drug is used to treat bacterial infections like E. coli, pneumonia or meningitis and is also used to prevent infection in people undergoing certain types of surgery, according to the FDA website.

Some of the cases examined had signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, including hives, pruritus (itchy skin), hypotension and hypoxia (low oxygen levels), the release said.

The Health Ministry said all of these cases were successfully treated.

“Those studied had a variety of comorbid conditions and no specific causal link between ceftriaxone and these reactions has been identified at this time,” the statement said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, ADPH will continue to collaborate with health care partners to investigate the possibility of epidemiologic links between these events or in relation to the receipt of injections of this antibiotic, related diluting substances, or commonly administered steroid medications in combination with antibiotics. in a health care facility.

Although the release did not specify where the adverse reactions were reported, several clinics in north Alabama have issued alerts about discontinuing use of the drug.

Medical centers in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Mobile issued no alerts as of 10 a.m.

The ADPH statement 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 steps should be taken to monitor and respond.” appropriately for such reactions.

“Cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, can cause an allergic reaction in 0.5 to 2.5% of patients. »

The Department advised health care 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.