Pricing
Prices are indicative MRP and may vary by pharmacy. Trend compares against the last recorded price.
All price changes →Indications & Uses
Ertapen is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Ertapenem for Injection is a sterile, synthetic, long-acting, parenteral 1-beta methyl-carbapenem that is structurally related to other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, and is active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It works by a bactericidal mode of action, binding to and inhibiting bacterial penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). In Escherichia coli, it shows strong affinity for PBPs 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4 and 5, with preferential binding to PBPs 2 and 3. By binding to these PBPs, ertapenem interferes with the lengthening and strengthening of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, thereby inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Dosage
Adults (over 12 years): 1 g given once a day.
Pediatric (3 months to 12 years): 15 mg/kg twice daily (not to exceed 1 g/day).
Ertapenem may be given by IV infusion or IM injection. When given intravenously, it should be infused over 30 minutes. IM administration of Ertapenem may be used as an alternative to IV administration for the treatment of infections where intramuscular therapy is appropriate.
The usual duration of therapy with Ertapenem is 3 to 14 days, but this varies with the type of infection and the causative pathogen(s). When clinically indicated, a switch to a suitable oral antimicrobial may be made once clinical improvement has been observed.
Prophylaxis of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery: To prevent surgical site infections after surgery in adults, the recommended dosage is 1 g IV given as a single intravenous dose 1 hour before the surgical incision.
Patients with renal insufficiency: Ertapenem may be used to treat infections in adult patients with renal insufficiency. In patients whose creatinine clearance is above 30 mL/min, no dosage adjustment is necessary. Adult patients with advanced renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance of 30 mL/min or less), including those on haemodialysis, should receive 500 mg daily. There are no data in paediatric patients with renal insufficiency.
Patients on haemodialysis: If Ertapenem is given at least 6 hours before haemodialysis, no supplementary dose is needed. When adult patients on haemodialysis are given Ertapenem within 6 hours before haemodialysis, a supplementary 30% dose is recommended after the haemodialysis session. There are no data in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis or haemofiltration. There are no data in paediatric patients on haemodialysis.
No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with impaired hepatic function.
Side Effects
Most side effects reported in clinical studies were mild to moderate. The most common drug-related side effects seen during parenteral (injection) treatment with Erpen are headache, infused vein complication, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Other uncommon side effects include dizziness, somnolence, insomnia, seizure, confusion, extravasation, hypotension, dyspnoea, oral candidiasis, constipation, acid regurgitation, C. difficile-associated diarrhoea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, anorexia, erythema, pruritus, abdominal pain, taste perversion, asthenia/fatigue, candidiasis, oedema/swelling, fever, pain, chest pain and vaginal pruritus.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Before starting Erpen, your doctor should ask carefully about any previous allergic reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactam antibiotics, or other allergens. If an allergic reaction to Erpen occurs, the drug should be stopped immediately. Serious anaphylactic reactions need immediate emergency treatment. As with other antibiotics, prolonged use of Erpen may lead to the overgrowth of organisms that are not susceptible to it. The patient's condition should be reassessed regularly. If a superinfection develops during treatment, appropriate measures should be taken. Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including Erpen, and can range from mild to life-threatening. This diagnosis should therefore be considered in patients who develop diarrhoea after taking antibacterial agents. Studies indicate that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is a primary cause of "antibiotic-associated colitis".
Contraindications
Ertapenem must not be given to patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of this product, to other drugs in the same class, or to patients who have had anaphylactic reactions to beta-lactams. Because lidocaine HCl is used as the diluent, intramuscular injection of Ertapenem must not be given to patients with a known hypersensitivity to amide-type local anaesthetics, or to patients with severe shock or heart block.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Ertapenem falls under FDA pregnancy category B. Well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been carried out, so it should be used in pregnancy only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any possible risk to her or the developing baby. Ertapenem also passes into breast milk, so it should be given to a breastfeeding woman with caution.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Pediatric use: The safety and effectiveness of Ertapen in patients 3 months to 17 years of age are supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled trials in adults, pharmacokinetic data in pediatric patients, and further data from comparator-controlled trials in pediatric patients of the same age range. Geriatric use: The kidneys clear a large part of Ertapen from the body, so the risk of toxic reactions may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, so care should be taken when selecting the dose, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. Patients with renal impairment: Dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with creatinine clearance of 30 mL/min or less. Patients with hepatic impairment: The pharmacokinetics of Ertapen in patients with hepatic impairment have not been established.
Overdose
There's no specific information on how to treat an overdose of Ertapen. In healthy adult volunteers, 3 g given into a vein daily for 8 days did not cause significant toxicity. In studies in children, a single IV dose of 40 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 2 g, did not cause toxicity either. If an overdose happens, Ertapen should be stopped and general supportive treatment given until the kidneys have cleared the medicine. Ertapen can be removed by haemodialysis, but there is no information on using haemodialysis to treat an overdose.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store the ertapenem injection at 2 to 8°C. Keep it away from light and out of the reach of children.
For the auxiliaries pack, don't store it above 30°C. Keep this pack away from light too, and out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Ertapen 1 gm
What is Ertapen 1 gm IM/IV Injection?
Ertapen 1 gm IM/IV Injection is a medicine that contains Ertapenem. It is made by Aristopharma Limited. It belongs to the Other beta-lactam antibiotics group of medicines.
What is Ertapen used for?
Ertapen is used for: Pneumonia, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection, Sepsis.
What are the side effects of Ertapen?
Most side effects reported in clinical studies were mild to moderate. The most common drug-related side effects seen during parenteral (injection) treatment with Erpen are headache, infused vein complication, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
Can I take Ertapen during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Ertapenem falls under FDA pregnancy category B. Well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been carried out, so it should be used in pregnancy only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any possible risk to her or the developing baby. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Ertapen?
There's no specific information on how to treat an overdose of Ertapen. In healthy adult volunteers, 3 g given into a vein daily for 8 days did not cause significant toxicity. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Ertapen?
Store the ertapenem injection at 2 to 8°C. Keep it away from light and out of the reach of children.
Can I take other medicines with Ertapen?
Some medicines can interact with Ertapenem, for example: Valproic Acid. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Ertapen?
Ertapen is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.