Rocephin is an intravenously administered antibiotic designed to fight bacteriological infections. The generic version is known as ceftriaxone. Rocephin may also be prescribed for use prior to surgery in order to help prevent getting an infection during the procedure. Rocephin is classified as a cephalosporin antibiotic that prevents bacteria from growing and kills bacteria already in your system.

Serious Common Side Effects

If you are given an injection of Rocephin, you may experience some common yet serious side effects. Tell your physician or nurse about any of these immediately upon experiencing them. They include diarrhea, tar-like stools, uncommon weakness, pain in the chest, chills, uncommon tiredness, cough, abnormal bleeding or fever. Other common serious side effects include abnormal bruising, urination that is difficult or painful, glandular swelling, shortness of breath, throat soreness, or sores in the mouth or on the lips.

Serious Rare Side Effects

Patients have reported other serious side effects from Rocephin, but these are considered rare, according to the Mayo Clinic. They include joint inflammation, abdominal cramping, thirstiness, pain in the stomach, legs or back, dizziness, sweating, hives, nosebleeds, abdominal bloating, discoloration of the skin (usually blue) and headache. Others may include convulsions, skin paleness, appetite loss, vomiting, breathing problems, itching, fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or an irregular heartbeat, and severe diarrhea. You also may experience a rash, swallowing difficulties, vomiting blood, wheezing and halitosis.

Other Serious Side Effects

Ceftriaxone also may create certain side effects that have been reported but not documented in clinical studies, according to the Mayo Clinic. These may include lesions on the skin that are red with purple in the center, restlessness, bleeding from the vagina or increases in menstruation, pain in the chest, skin blistering, inability to sit still, stiffness in the muscles, eye redness and irritation, and bodily swelling. Paralysis also has been reported from the use of ceftriaxone. Tell your doctor immediately about any of these side effects. There also have been some reports of mental depression and mood changes, but these were not found in clinical trials, according to RxList.com.

Non-Serious Side Effects

If you are taking ceftriaxone over a period of time, you may experience some side effects at first that will disappear as you acclimate to it. These include a vaginal discharge that is white and thick, belching, flatulence, dizziness, pain during sexual intercourse, taste changes, indigestion, genital itching and a sensation of feeling full.