551. A Multistate Investigation of Serious Adverse Events, Including Deaths, Following Ceftriaxone Injections, September 2024–June 2025

TL;DR

A nationwide investigation found 26 serious adverse events, including deaths, linked to ceftriaxone injections, but no single cause or product was identified.

Contribution

This study reports a multistate investigation identifying serious adverse events following ceftriaxone use without finding a common-source etiology.

Findings

26 cases of serious adverse events, including 12 deaths, were reported across 15 states from September 2024 to June 2025.

Most cases occurred in outpatient settings and involved patients with cardiac comorbidities and prior ceftriaxone exposure.

FDA testing found no evidence of tampering, adulteration, or product-specific issues among ceftriaxone lots.

Abstract

Wednesday, October 22, 2025: 11:30 AM

Background: Serious adverse events (SAEs) related to ceftriaxone, a widely used cephalosporin antibiotic, are considered rare. After a 2024 SAE cluster in Alabama, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with state/local partners and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), conducted a nationwide investigation of SAEs, including deaths, among patients who received ceftriaxone.Table.Clinical summary of serious adverse event cases (n=26), September 2024–June 2025Abbreviations: SAE: serious adverse event, ACH: acute care hospital, ED: emergency department, OP: outpatient clinic, F: female, M: male, Pt: patient (used when sex not reported); NR: not reported, NOS: not otherwise specified, EKG: electrocardiogram, PEA: pulseless electrical activity, IV: intravenous, IM: intramuscular, N/A: not applicable, PMH: past medical history, CA: cancer, CAD: coronary artery disease, CHF: congestive heart failure, CKD/ESRD: chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, DM: diabetes mellitus, HTN: hypertension, HLD: hyperlipidemia, dx: disease CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Figure 1a-b.Epidemic curve: Frequency of reported serious adverse event cases following ceftriaxone administration from September 2024 to June 2025, by event month and US region (a) or ceftriaxone manufacturer (b), n=26Figure includes SAEs meeting CDC case definition: Adverse events following injectable ceftriaxone exposure, occurring after September 1, 2024, which: 1) occurred within 6 hours after receipt of injectable ceftriaxone in a non-ICU setting, 2) resulted in death or required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and 3) were not attributed by the treating provider(s) to a cause other than ceftriaxone administration (such as known infection, other underlying medical condition, or exposure to a medication or medical product other than ceftriaxone). Figure 1a (left) displays epidemic curve by US Census Bureau region, reflecting case-patient state of residence. Southern region includes AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Figure 1b (right) displays epidemic curve by the ceftriaxone product reported as administered to case-patient or present in the facility at the time of adverse event. Abbreviations: NR: not reported, US: United States. (R Core Team, 2024).

Clinical summary of serious adverse event cases (n=26), September 2024–June 2025

Abbreviations: SAE: serious adverse event, ACH: acute care hospital, ED: emergency department, OP: outpatient clinic, F: female, M: male, Pt: patient (used when sex not reported); NR: not reported, NOS: not otherwise specified, EKG: electrocardiogram, PEA: pulseless electrical activity, IV: intravenous, IM: intramuscular, N/A: not applicable, PMH: past medical history, CA: cancer, CAD: coronary artery disease, CHF: congestive heart failure, CKD/ESRD: chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, DM: diabetes mellitus, HTN: hypertension, HLD: hyperlipidemia, dx: disease CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Epidemic curve: Frequency of reported serious adverse event cases following ceftriaxone administration from September 2024 to June 2025, by event month and US region (a) or ceftriaxone manufacturer (b), n=26

Figure includes SAEs meeting CDC case definition: Adverse events following injectable ceftriaxone exposure, occurring after September 1, 2024, which: 1) occurred within 6 hours after receipt of injectable ceftriaxone in a non-ICU setting, 2) resulted in death or required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and 3) were not attributed by the treating provider(s) to a cause other than ceftriaxone administration (such as known infection, other underlying medical condition, or exposure to a medication or medical product other than ceftriaxone). Figure 1a (left) displays epidemic curve by US Census Bureau region, reflecting case-patient state of residence. Southern region includes AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Figure 1b (right) displays epidemic curve by the ceftriaxone product reported as administered to case-patient or present in the facility at the time of adverse event. Abbreviations: NR: not reported, US: United States. (R Core Team, 2024).

Methods: CDC issued a national call for cases, defined as death or cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 6 hours of ceftriaxone receipt in non-intensive care settings without other apparent cause, occurring after Sep 1, 2024. Health departments collected clinical data for analysis at CDC. We further classified cases as anaphylaxis-type if determined by treating provider to be allergic or if involved two or more of: hypotension, respiratory compromise, cutaneous manifestations, and gastrointestinal symptoms. For SAEs reported Dec 2024-Jan 2025, FDA collected available ceftriaxone/diluent for testing and requested internal product investigations by manufacturers.Figure 2.Medications (other than ceftriaxone) prescribed proximal and prior to serious adverse event, by individual case-patient, n=23Abbreviations: ARB: angiotensin receptor blocker, ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme, NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Medications (other than ceftriaxone) prescribed proximal and prior to serious adverse event, by individual case-patient, n=23

Abbreviations: ARB: angiotensin receptor blocker, ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme, NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Results: We report 26 cases (65% outpatient; 35% inpatient), including 12 deaths, from 22 healthcare facilities across 15 states from Sep 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2025 (Figure 1a). Case-patients had a median age of 70 years (IQR: 60-81) and received 1g (n=15, 58%), 2g (n=9, 35%), or unspecified (n=2, 7%) ceftriaxone doses via intravenous (IV) push (n=15, 58%), IV infusion (n=9, 35%), or intramuscular injection (n=2, 7%). Presentations varied (Table); 69% (n=18) were anaphylaxis-type. Prior ceftriaxone exposure (n=16, 62%), cardiac comorbidities (n=20, 77%), and/or concurrent use of antihypertensives (n=17, 65%, Figure 2) were common. Product exposures included 22 lots from 6 ceftriaxone manufacturers (Figure 1b). FDA testing of ceftriaxone (5 lots, 4 manufacturers) and lidocaine diluent (3 lots, 2 manufacturers) found no evidence of tampering, adulteration, endotoxin, or purity/potency issues. Manufacturers (n=4) did not report product anomalies.

Conclusion: SAEs, including deaths, can occur after ceftriaxone use. This investigation did not identify a common-source etiology, nor a link to a specific ceftriaxone product. Providers in all settings should monitor for SAEs, including anaphylaxis, and report to the FDA MedWatch Program.

Disclosures: All Authors: No reported disclosures

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