What potential adverse effect may occur with long-term treatment using Ceftriaxone?

Long-term treatment with Ceftriaxone can lead to the formation of gallstones, or cholelithiasis. This is primarily due to the drug’s high affinity for calcium, which can result in the precipitation of Ceftriaxone in the bile. When Ceftriaxone binds to calcium, it may form insoluble complexes that can contribute to gallstone formation, particularly in patients receiving prolonged therapy or those who are predisposed to gallbladder issues.

Cholelithiasis can occur even without underlying gallbladder disease, making it a noteworthy adverse effect associated with extended use of this antibiotic. Monitoring for this condition is essential, especially in patients who are on long courses of Ceftriaxone.

The other options, while they can occur due to various reasons in clinical settings, are not specifically linked to Ceftriaxone in the same way gallstones are. Hypoglycemia is more commonly associated with other medications, anemia typically arises from different causes, and thrombocytopenia is not a primary concern for patients on Ceftriaxone. Thus, cholelithiasis stands out as a significant adverse effect related to long-term Ceftriaxone treatment.