Positive: Quality
Frank Demarco
2 years ago
Ceftriaxone Linked To Kidney Failure. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is an antibiotic medication that is often used to treat childhood infections, but research has also linked this drug to kidney failure in children. Ceftriaxone has been on the market since 1984 and was originally sold by Roche. The antibiotic has been associated with injuries in children […]
Ceftriaxone Linked To Kidney Failure. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is an antibiotic medication that is often used to treat childhood infections, but research has also linked this drug to kidney failure in children. Ceftriaxone has been on the market since 1984 and was originally sold by Roche. The antibiotic has been associated with injuries in children in the past. In April 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert warning that the drug should not be used in young infants who are also taking calcium-containing products. As of March 2014, there have been a total of 5 Safety Alerts related to ceftriaxone. Now, evidence suggests that the drug may cause renal failure in children. If your child suffered from renal failure after taking ceftriaxone, contact Parker Waichman LLP today.
On March 24, 2014 a retrospective study published in the journal Pediatrics linked ceftriaxone use to renal stones and renal pediatric acute renal failure (PARF). ‘Ceftriaxone’ has already been linked to biliary pseudolithiasis (pain in the bile ducts), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and bladder sludge. Previous research has shown that urine crystals form and cling to renal tubular cells during treatment with the antibiotic.
Researchers analyzed 31 children who developed PARF after ceftriaxone treatment between 2003 and 2012. None of the children in the study had a history of urolithiasis (urinary tract calculi or stones) or nephrolithiasis (kidney calculi or stones). On average, the children were treated with ceftriaxone for 5.2 days before experiencing PARF. The main symptoms were:
Nine children were treated successfully with pharmacotherapy. Retrograde ureteral catheterization was used in 21 children who were resistant to pharmacotherapy. One child needed three sessions of hemodialysis before normal urination occurred.
Based on their findings, the authors of the study concluded “Ceftriaxone therapy in children may cause PARF. Early diagnosis and prompt pharmacological therapy are important in relieving the condition. Retrograde ureteral catheterization is an effective treatment of those who fail to respond to pharmacotherapy.”
A separate analysis conducted by AdverseEvents, Inc. showed that renal failure was associated with ceftriaxone, as well as other similar antibiotic class. Based on this, renal risks should be analyzed for the entire class of third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, the AdverseEvents Research Team said. The research team also identified a number of adverse events not currently on the drug label, including: drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), cyanosis, hepatitis, altered state of consciousness, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, respiratory arrest, respiratory failure, wheezing, blood pressure decreased, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), hypocalcemia (low calcium levels), metabolic acidosis, eyelid swelling, tachycardia, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
If your child suffered from renal failure after taking ceftriaxone, you may have valuable legal rights. For more information, please fill out our online form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) to speak with an experienced drug injury attorney today.