Magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and selenium complexes of ceftriaxone were prepared in a 1:1 ligand to metal ratio to investigate the ligational character of the antibiotic ceftriaxone drug (CFX). The complexes were found to have coordinated and hydrated water molecules, except for the Se (IV) complex, which had only hydrated water molecules. The modes of chelation were explained depending on IR, 1HNMR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. The electronic absorption spectra and the magnetic moment values indicated that Mg (II), Cu (II), Zn (II), Fe (III) and Se (VI) complexes form a six-coordinate shape with a distorted octahedral geometry. Ceftriaxone has four donation sites through nitrogen from NH2 amino, oxygen from triazine, β-lactam carbonyl and carboxylate with the molecular formulas [Mg(CFX)(H2O)2]·4H2O, [Cu(CFX)(H2O)2]·3H2O, [Fe(CFX)(H2O)(Cl)]·5H2O, [Zn(CFX)(H2O)2]·6H2O and [Se(CFX)(Cl)2]·4H2O and acts as a tetradentate ligand towards the five metal ions. The morphological surface and particle size of ceftriaxone metal complexes were determined using SEM, TEM and X-ray diffraction. The thermal behaviors of the complexes were studied by the TGA(DTG) technique. This study investigated the effect of CFX and CFX metal complexes on oxidative stress and severe tissue injury in the hepatic tissues of male rats. Fifty-six male rats were tested: the first group received normal saline (1 mg/kg), the second group received CFX orally at a dose of 180 mg/kg, and the other treated groups received other CFX metal complexes at the same dose as the CFX-treated group. For antibacterial activity, CFX/Zn complex was highly effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, while CFX/Se was highly effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, successive exposure to CFX elevated hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lipid peroxidation final marker (MDA) and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels. CFX metal complex administration prevented liver injury, mainly suppressing excessive ROS generation and enhancing antioxidant defense enzymes and in male rats.