Effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time

Ceftriaxone reduces gallbladder and ileal contractility. Many studies have shown that ceftriaxone causes biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis. However, its effect on intestinal transit time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time. Sixteen rats were examined in two groups: The study group (group A, n = 8) was administered with 100 mg/kg ceftriaxone intramuscularly for 7 days. The control group (group B, n = 8) was administered with intramuscular distilled water for 7 days. On the seventh day, a mixture of 2 ml barium and saline was given orally to both groups. Barium transit was evaluated using serial digital X-ray images. The stomach was full and the transition into the small intestine loop was observed in all rats at 45 min in both groups. At the 2nd hour, colonic transition was observed in two rats in group A (2/8, 25%) and in seven rats in group B (7/8, 87.5%). At the 4th hour, five (62.5%) rats in group A had transverse colonic transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had transverse and/or left colonic transition. At the 6th hour, no rat in group A had rectal transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had complete passage of colonic contrast material. Ceftriaxone significantly prolongs the small intestine transit time, large intestine transit time, and total intestinal transit times.