← Search & browse all drugs
ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE › ANTIBACTERIALS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › OTHER BETA-LACTAM ANTIBACTERIALS › Carbapenems
ertapenem
J01DH03
Forms & Strengths
- Injection: 1 g single-dose vial for reconstitution
- Injection: 1 g single-dose piggyback vial
Adult Dosing
- Complicated intra-abdominal infections: 1 g IV/IM once daily for 5-14 days
- Complicated skin and skin structure infections: 1 g IV/IM once daily for 7-14 days
- Community-acquired pneumonia: 1 g IV/IM once daily for 10-14 days
- Complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis: 1 g IV/IM once daily for 10-14 days
- Acute pelvic infections including post-partum endomyometritis, septic abortion, and post-surgical gynecologic infections: 1 g IV/IM once daily for 3-10 days
- Prophylaxis for colorectal surgery: 1 g IV single dose given 1 hour prior to surgical incision
- Renal dosage adjustment (CrCl < 30 mL/min/1.73m2): 500 mg once daily
Pediatric Dosing
- Infants and children 3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV/IM twice daily (not to exceed 1 g/day)
- Adolescents 13 to 17 years: 1 g IV/IM once daily
Indications
- Complicated intra-abdominal infections caused by susceptible isolates
- Complicated skin and skin structure infections including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis
- Community-acquired pneumonia caused by susceptible isolates
- Complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis
- Acute pelvic infections including post-partum endomyometritis, septic abortion, and post-surgical gynecologic infections
- Prophylaxis of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), primarily PBP 2 and PBP 3, leading to bacterial cell lysis and death
- Exerts broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria
- Highly stable against hydrolysis by most beta-lactamases, including penicillinases and cephalosporinases, but is susceptible to metallo-beta-lactamases and carbapenemases
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to ertapenem or to other drugs in the same class (carbapenems)
- Anaphylactic reactions to any other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
- Contraindications specific to the diluent when reconstituted with lidocaine hydrochloride (e.g., hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type)
Adverse Reactions
- Diarrhea
- Complications at the infusion site (phlebitis, thrombophlebitis)
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Elevated liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea
Drug Interactions
- Valproic acid and divalproex sodium: Carbapenems may reduce serum concentrations of valproic acid, potentially resulting in loss of seizure control; concomitant use is generally avoided
- Probenecid: Competes with ertapenem for active renal tubular secretion, resulting in increased plasma half-life and reduced clearance of ertapenem
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use