Displacement effect of ceftriaxone on bilirubin bound to human serum albumin

The effects of ceftriaxone, a 'third-generation' cephalosporin, on bilirubin-serum albumin complexes were investigated. This study was performed on human adult samples at various bilirubin-albumin ratios. Ceftriaxone caused a decrease of unconjugated bilirubin and simultaneously an increase of erythrocyte-bound bilirubin. These variations were proportionally more important for low concentrations of antibiotic, including therapeutic values. It was concluded that ceftriaxone competes with bilirubin and displaces it from albumin-binding sites.