Rocephin Question

[janat]

I work in a new primary care practice that treats alot of adolescents and young adults. For more serious or recurrent ear infections and upper respiratory infections, our doctor often prescribes 1 Gram IM Rocephin along with IM Decadron. The Rocephin is pretty tough for most patients to take, especially teenagers. I use 1% lido, which makes about 3.3ml which I give in one hip, and the Decadron in the other hip. Any suggestions or ideas on how to make this more tolerable for the patient?

[steelcityrn, RN]

Again, I am remided why I just love this site! Where else can you obtain so much information in a few posts! I have never had nor given rocephin IM. This will help me if I ever have to give it, or have it given to myself. Thanks everyone:)

[MouseMichelle]

It hurts like a MOFO so any wonderful suggestions you get here, take them. You have great suggestions.......EEEK either way it's going to hurt like a MOFO

[janat]

Thanks for the responses. One suggestion another nurse made was to use more lido to dilute. The Mfg says you can dliute 1 Gram with 3.6ml lido. This makes a total of about 4ml which seems like a lot to give all in one hip, but maybe it's better because of more lido. I haven't been dividing the dose between hips, because I have been giving the Decadron on one side, and the Rocephin on the other.

[GM2RN]

Thanks for the responses. One suggestion another nurse made was to use more lido to dilute. The Mfg says you can dliute 1 Gram with 3.6ml lido. This makes a total of about 4ml which seems like a lot to give all in one hip, but maybe it's better because of more lido. I haven't been dividing the dose between hips, because I have been giving the Decadron on one side, and the Rocephin on the other.

If the mfg says you can use more lido then it's worth a try. You could always give it in the thigh if you need another spot to inject it. But don't forget that you can give decadron PO. Just mix it with a little juice or with another liquid PO med, if ordered. I give decadron PO that way all the time and have never had a problem.

I've also been thinking about your question since I first saw it posted and have wondered why everyone else has a problem with it when I never have. The only thing that comes to mind, and I don't know for sure if it would make a difference, is that some aren't letting it disolve completely before injecting it.