Mesporin is an antibiotic for adults and children (including newborn babies). This medicine works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It belongs to a group of medicines called cephalosporins. 
 
Mesporin is used to treat infections of:  

• the brain (meningitis),  
• the lungs,  
• the middle ear,  
• the abdomen and abdominal wall (peritonitis),  
• the urinary tract and kidneys,  
• the bones and joints,  
• the skin and soft tissues,  
• the blood,  
• the heart. 

 
It can be given to:  

• treat specific sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea and syphilis),  
• treat patients with a low white blood cell count (neutropenia) who have fever due to bacterial infection,  
• treat chest infections in adults with chronic bronchitis,  
• treat Lyme disease (caused by tick bites) in adults and children including newborn babies from 15 days of age,  
• prevent infections during surgery. 

Don't use Mesporin if:  you are allergic to ceftriaxone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).  you have had a sudden or severe allergic reaction to penicillin or similar antibiotics (such as cephalosporins, carbapenems or monobactams). The signs include sudden swelling of the throat or face which may make it difficult to breathe or swallow, sudden swelling of the hands, feet and heels, and a severe skin rash that develops quickly.  you are allergic to lidocaine and if Mesporin is to be given as an injection into a muscle. 
 
Mesporin cannot be given to babies if:  the baby is premature.  the baby is newborn (up to 28 days of age) and has certain blood problems or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) or if the baby is to be given a product that contains calcium into a vein. 
 
b. Take special care with Mesporin Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you are given Mesporin if:  you have recently received or are about to receive products that contain calcium.  you have recently had diarrhoea after taking an antibiotic, or if you have ever had problems with your intestine, in particular colitis (inflammation of the intestine).  you have liver or kidney problems.  you have gallstones or kidney stones.  you have other illnesses, such as haemolytic anaemia (a reduction in the red blood cells that may make your skin pale yellow and cause weakness or difficulty breathing).  you are on a low sodium diet. 
 
If you need a blood or urine test If you are given Mesporin for a long time, you may need to have regular blood tests. Mesporin may affect the results of urine tests for sugar and a blood test known as the Coombs test. If you are having tests:  tell the person taking the blood sample that you have been given Mesporin. 
 
Children Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before Mesporin is given to your child if:  he/she has recently received or is to be given a product that contains calcium into a vein. 

 c. Taking other medicines, herbal or dietary supplements  Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:  A type of antibiotic called an aminoglycoside.  An antibiotic called chloramphenicol (used to treat infections, especially eye infections). 
 
e. Pregnancy, breast-feeding  If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will consider the benefit of treatment with Mesporin in relation to the risk to your baby. 
 
f. Driving and using machines Mesporin can cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy, do not drive or use tools or machines. Talk to your doctor if you get these symptoms. 

Mesporin is normally given by a doctor or nurse. It can be given by a drip (intravenous infusion) system or as an injection directly into a vein or muscle. Mesporin is prepared by the doctor, pharmacist or nurse and will not be mixed with or given at the same time as injections that contain calcium. 
 
Usual dose 
 
Your doctor will decide the correct dose of Mesporin for you. The dose will depend on the severity and type of infection, on whether you are taking other antibiotics, on your weight and age, and on your kidney and liver function. The number of days or weeks that you are given Mesporin depends on the type of infection that you have. 
 
Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years of age with a body weight  50 kilograms (kg):  1 to 2 g once a day, depending on the severity and type of infection. If you have a severe infection, your doctor will give you a higher dose (up to 4 g once a day). If your daily dose is higher than 2 g, you may receive it as a single dose once a day or as two separate doses. 
 
Newborn babies, infants and children between 15 days and 12 years of age with a body weight < 50 kg:  50-80 mg of Mesporin per kg of body weight once a day, depending on the severity and type of infection. If you have a severe infection, your doctor will give you a daily dose of up to 100 mg per kg of body weight up to a maximum of 4 g once a day. If your daily dose is higher than 2 g, you may receive it as a single dose once a day or as two separate doses.  Children with a body weight of 50 kg or more should receive the usual adult dose. 
 
 
Newborn babies (0-14 days)  20-50 mg of Mesporin per kg of body weight once a day, depending on the severity and type of infection.  The maximum daily dose should not exceed 50 . 
 
People with liver and kidney problems You may receive a different dose from the usual dose. Your doctor will decide how much Mesporin you will need and will monitor your condition closely, depending on the severity of the liver or kidney disease. 
 
a. If you use more Mesporin than you should If you accidentally receive a dose higher than your prescribed dose, contact your doctor or the nearest hospital immediately. 
 
b. If you forget to use Mesporin If you miss an injection, it should be given to you as quickly as possible. However, if it is nearly time to receive your next injection, skip the injection that you missed. Do not take a double dose (two injections at the same time) to make up for a missed dose. 
 
c. If you stop using Mesporin Do not stop using Mesporin unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or nurse. 

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. 
 
The following side effects may occur with this medicine: 
 
Severe allergic reactions (not known, frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) If you have a severe allergic reaction, tell a doctor immediately.

The signs may include:  

• Sudden swelling of the face, throat, lips and mouth. This may make it difficult to breathe or swallow.  
• Sudden swelling of the hands, feet and heels. 

 
Severe skin rashes (not known, frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) If you have a severe skin rash, tell a doctor immediately.  

• The signs may include a severe skin rash that develops quickly, with blisters or peeling of the skin and possibly blisters in the mouth. 

 
Other possible side effects: 
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)  

• Abnormalities in blood levels of white blood cells (such as a decrease in leucocytes and an increase in eosinophils) and platelets (decrease in thrombocytes). 
•  Loose stools or diarrhoea.  
• Changes in the results of blood tests for liver function.  
• Skin rash. 

 
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)  

• Fungal infections (e.g. candidiasis).  
• A decrease in the number of white blood cells (granulocytopenia).  
• A reduction in the number of red blood cells (anaemia).  
• Problems with blood clotting. The signs may include easy bruising, and pain and swelling of the joints.  
• Headache.  
• Dizziness.  
• Feeling sick or being sick.  
• Pruritus (itching).  
• Pain or a burning sensation along the vein where Mesporin has been given. Pain at the injection site.  
• A high temperature (fever).  
• Abnormal kidney function test (increase in blood creatinine). 

 
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)  

• Inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The signs include diarrhoea, usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain and fever.  
• Difficulty breathing (bronchospasm).
• A lumpy skin rash (urticaria) that may cover a lot of your body, an itching sensation and swelling.  
• Blood or sugar in the urine.  
• Oedema (accumulation of fluid).  
• Shivers. 

 
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)  

• A secondary infection that may not respond to the antibiotics previously prescribed.  
• A form of anaemia where red blood cells are destroyed (haemolytic anaemia).  
• Severe decrease in white blood cells (agranulocytosis).  
• Convulsions.  
• Vertigo (spinning sensation).  
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). The signs include severe stomach pain which spreads to your back.  
• Inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth (stomatitis).  
• Inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). The signs include a swollen, red and sore tongue.  
• Problems with the bladder, which may cause pain, feeling sick and being sick.
• A neurological condition that may occur in newborn babies with severe jaundice (kernicterus).  
• Kidney problems caused by deposits of ceftriaxone-calcium. There may be pain when urinating or low output of urine.    
• A false positive result for galactosaemia (abnormal accumulation of galactose in the blood). 
• Mesporin may interfere with some types of blood glucose tests  please check with your doctor.

Keep this medicine out of the sight & reach of children. 
 
Do not use Mesporin after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 
 
Do not store above 30 C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture and light. 
 
It is recommended to use each reconstituted solution freshly.

Its effectiveness remains for up to 6 hours at room temperature (15-25 C) and up to 24 hours under refrigeration (2- 8 C)
 
Any unused solutions for infusion should be discarded. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer require. These measures will help protect the environment.