CENBACTUM INJECTION
Ceftriaxone sodium/Sulbactam sodium
What it does
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.
Commonly used for: bacterial infections, infections of the lungs (pneumonia), infections of the skin, infections of the urinary tract
Read more in plain English ↓Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.
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Sourcing - Kenya onlyRegistration & product details
Source: Food and Drugs Authority · fetched 2026-04-18 08:32:57 · updated 2026-09-15 04:00:12
Drug Interactions
3Pharmacodynamic Warnings
Ceftriaxone appears in TABLE 2: Drugs that cause nephrotoxicity
Unknown (3)
Cephalosporins - increases exposure
Leflunomideispredictedtoincreasetheexposureto cephalosporins(cefaclor).oTheoretical
Cephalosporins - increases exposure
Nitisinone is predicted to increase the exposure to cephalosporins (cefaclor).
Cephalosporins - increases exposure
Teriflunomide is predicted to increase the exposure to cephalosporins (cefaclor).
Data from BNF 85 (British National Formulary). This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Matched via: class
About ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.
What it treats
- bacterial infections
- infections of the lungs (pneumonia)
- infections of the skin
- infections of the urinary tract
How it works
Ceftriaxone works by stopping the growth of bacteria, helping to eliminate infections.
Who it's for
This medicine is for adults and children needing treatment for infections caused by bacteria.
Drug class
Cephalosporins
Cautions
- • Be careful if you are taking other medicines that can harm your kidneys.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
About sulbactam
Sulbactam is an antibacterial medication that helps fight infections caused by certain bacteria.
What it treats
- bacterial infections
- intra-abdominal infections
- skin infections
- respiratory tract infections
How it works
Sulbactam works by stopping the growth of bacteria, making it easier for the body's immune system to fight off the infection.
Who it's for
Sulbactam is for people who have infections caused by bacteria that are sensitive to this medication.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: Ceftriaxone
BNF-referencedCeftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used for the treatment of various bacterial infections. It is particularly effective against susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ceftriaxone is administered via intravenous injection or infusion, and it has a long half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing in many cases. It is commonly used for conditions such as community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, and complicated urinary tract infections.
Indications
- Bacterial infections
- Susceptible infections due to sensitive Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Intra-abdominal infections
- Complicated urinary tract infections
- Severe diabetic foot infections
- Prophylaxis of infection from human and animal bites
Dosage
Adults: 1–2 g once daily, or 2 g every 8 hours for severe infections or hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Mechanism of action
Ceftriaxone works by inhibiting mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. Its beta-lactam structure binds to carboxypeptidases, endopeptidases, and transpeptidases located in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, which are crucial for cell wall synthesis and division. This binding leads to enzyme inactivity, resulting in the formation of defective cell walls and ultimately bacterial cell death.
Pharmacodynamics
Ceftriaxone is a beta-lactam antibiotic with bactericidal properties, primarily affecting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It exhibits activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. The drug is stable against hydrolysis by many beta-lactamases, which enhances its effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains. However, it can still be subject to resistance mechanisms such as beta-lactamase production and alterations in penicillin-binding proteins.
Pharmacokinetics
Ceftriaxone has a long half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing in many cases. It is widely distributed in body tissues and fluids, including the central nervous system, making it effective for treating infections such as meningitis. The drug is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, with a portion excreted in the bile. Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with renal impairment.
Contra-indications
- Hypersensitivity to ceftriaxone or any of its ingredients
- History of severe allergic reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactam antibiotics
- Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia
- Concurrent use with calcium-containing solutions in neonates
Adverse effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Thrombocytosis
- Thrombophlebitis at the injection site
- Antibiotic-associated colitis
- Acute kidney injury
- Jaundice
- Biliary sludge
- Neurotoxicity (rare, may include seizures)
Interactions
- Calcium-containing solutions (risk of precipitation)
- Probenecid (may increase plasma concentrations of ceftriaxone)
- Anticoagulants (may enhance anticoagulant effect)
- Other nephrotoxic agents (increased risk of renal impairment)
Precautions
- Use with caution in patients with renal impairment
- Caution in patients with hepatic impairment
- Monitor for signs of antibiotic-associated colitis
- Use with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease
Pregnancy
Not known to be harmful, but should be used only if clearly needed.
Breast-feeding
Present in milk in low concentrations, but generally considered appropriate to use.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from light. Reconstituted solutions should be used immediately or stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius and used within 24 hours.
Formulations
- Powder for solution for injection: 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g vials
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Clinical monograph: sulbactam
BNF-referencedSulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that is used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics to enhance their efficacy against bacteria that produce beta-lactamases. It is particularly effective against certain strains of bacteria, including _Neisseriaceae_, _Acinetobacter spp._, and _Bacteroides fragilis_. Sulbactam works by irreversibly inhibiting the action of beta-lactamases, enzymes that can break down beta-lactam antibiotics, thereby restoring their antibacterial activity.
Indications
- Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing organisms
- Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
- Intra-abdominal infections
- Respiratory tract infections
- Urinary tract infections
Dosage
Children: Refer to BNF for Children for specific dosing recommendations based on the child's age, weight, and the type of infection.
Adults: Refer to BNF for specific dosing recommendations based on the type and severity of the infection.
Mechanism of action
Sulbactam is a competitive, irreversible inhibitor of bacterial beta-lactamases, particularly potent against class C beta-lactamases. It binds to the active site of the enzyme, preventing it from hydrolyzing beta-lactam antibiotics, which enhances the effectiveness of these antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains.
Pharmacodynamics
When administered with beta-lactam antibiotics, sulbactam broadens their antibacterial spectrum by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for their hydrolysis. Although sulbactam has weak intrinsic antibacterial activity on its own, it can effectively bind to penicillin-binding proteins in certain bacteria, contributing to its therapeutic effect. It helps restore the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics against a wide range of beta-lactamase-producing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Pharmacokinetics
Sulbactam is administered parenterally and is typically well absorbed. It has a short half-life, necessitating frequent dosing when used alone. The drug is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine. Its pharmacokinetic profile may vary based on the formulation used and the presence of co-administered antibiotics.
Pregnancy
There is limited data on the use of sulbactam in pregnancy. It should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if sulbactam is excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when administering to breastfeeding women.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Protect from moisture.
Formulations
- Injectable solution
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Molecular reference: Ceftriaxone
PubChem CID 5479530Molecular formula: C18H18N8O7S3
Mechanism of action
Ceftriaxone works by inhibiting the mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. The beta-lactam moiety of ceftriaxone binds to carboxypeptidases, endopeptidases, and transpeptidases in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. These enzymes are involved in cell-wall synthesis and cell division. Binding of ceftriaxone to these enzymes causes the enzyme to lose activity; therefore, the bacteria produce defective cell walls, causing cell death.
Pharmacodynamics
Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin/cephamycin beta-lactam antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually gram-positive, organisms. Ceftriaxone has <i>in vitro</i> activity against gram-positive aerobic, gram-negative aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria. The bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis and is mediated through ceftriaxone binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Ceftriaxone is stable against hydrolysis by a variety of beta-lactamases, including penicillinases, and cephalosporinases and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. However, resistance to ceftriaxone usually occurs through beta-lactamase hydrolysis, altered PBPs, or reduced bacterial cell permeability. Ceftriaxone should not be mixed with or giving in the same IV line as diluents/products containing calcium as they may cause ceftriaxone to precipitate. Ceftriaxone use may also cause biliary sludge or gallbladder pseudolithiasis.
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.
Molecular reference: sulbactam
PubChem CID 130313Molecular formula: C8H11NO5S
Mechanism of action
Sulbactam is a competitive, irreversible bacterial beta (β)-lactamase inhibitor. It is reported to be more potent against class C beta-lactamases.
Pharmacodynamics
When given together with beta-lactam antibiotics, sulbactam broadens their antibacterial spectrum by blocking the enzyme involved in their hydrolysis. Sulbactam alone possesses weak intrinsic antibacterial activity except against the _Neisseriaceae_, _Acinetobacter spp._, and _Bacteroides fragilis_ as it can bind to the penicillin-binding proteins. Sulbactam restores the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics against a range of beta-lactamase-producing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.
This drug in other countries
The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.