Ceftriaxone is used to treat bacterial infections and is an antibiotic but like so many chemical drugs of the pharmaceutics industry it can have serious side effects so the nurse should explain these to the patient taking the drug home to notify her if any of these symptoms occur. These can commonly include black, tarry stools, chest pain, chills, cough, fever, painful or difficult urination, shortness of breath, sore throat,ulcers for example. Often the side effects are worse than what the drug is supposed to do so alternative medicine including herbs if available for the particular ailment are often recommended instead.