Ertapenem

Indications

Pneumonia Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Sepsis

Treatment: Erpen is indicated for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms, and as initial empiric therapy before the causative organisms have been identified, in the following infections: complicated intra-abdominal infections; complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic lower extremity and diabetic foot infections; community-acquired pneumonia; complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis; acute pelvic infections, including postpartum endomyometritis, septic abortion and post-surgical gynaecological infections; and bacterial septicaemia. Prevention: Erpen is indicated in adults for the prophylaxis of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

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.

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.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor 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 & Interactions

Side Effects

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