Ertapenem is classified as an antibiotic drug that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections noted as severe complications like abdominal infections, pneumonia, kidney and urinary tract infections.
The drug is under a class of antibiotics known as carbapenems and is currently marketed by Merck Industries.
Ertapenem is marketed as an injectible antibiotic under the brand name INVANZ. Invanz is a sterile carbepenem and is related to beta-lactam antibiotics.
Invanz is administered to patients diagnosed with moderate to severe infections located in the abdominal region, lungs, skin, and kidneys that are caused by bacteria. Ertapenem is also used to treat pneumonia.
For patients older than 13, ertapenem is administered at a dosage of 1 gram once daily. For patients 3 months up to 12 years, the dose of ertapenem is at 15 mg per kilogram of body weight. It is to be administered twice daily, however, it must not exceed 1 gram per day.
Ertapenem may be given up to 14 days intravenously, and up to 7 days via intramuscular injection.
Common side effects of ertapenem use are diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, nausea, headaches and reactions such as swelling, reddening and pain in the injection sites. More serious yet unlikely side effects such as dizziness, blurred vision, trouble in sleeping and breathing, mood and behavior changes, and vaginal irritation may occur.
Alarming side effects may also occur which may needs prompt medical response such as seizures, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, and fatigue.
Ertapenem is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug, other forms of carbapenem and its known components. As the injectible drug contains lidocaine, the drug is also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitive reactions to local anesthetics.
Prior to the use of the drug, a detailed medical history of the patients is required. Caution is advised for patients with known kidney, brain and liver problems. The use of the drug with the elderly is to be given caution as they may be more sensitive with the effects of the drug.
A detailed report of all medications, whether they are prescription or non-prescription, must be reported to the doctor prior to ertapenem use. The concomitant use of other antibiotic drugs with ertapenem, as well as probenecid, phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine and thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressants like amitiriptyline, theophylline, caffeine, sympathomimetics such as amphetamines, isoniazids, salicylates, tacrines, and morphine as they may affect the potency of the drug.
Ertapenem use has been reported to cause serious and mostly, fatal hypersensitive reaction in patients. Such reactions have been reported in patients with a known hypersensitivity to penicillin and other beta-lactams. Prior to ertapenem usage, patients should be tested for hypersensitivity to cephalosporins, penicillins, other beta-lactams and allergens.
Ertapenem has also been reported to be a potential cause of seizures. As the drug belongs to the class carbapenem, one of its main actions is the reduction of serum valproic acid concentrations in the body, which result in loss of seizure control.
Alternative methods of antibacterial therapy must be considered if it is found that the use of the drug lowers the concentrations below therapeutic levels.
The administration of ertapenem to treat conditions in the absence of proven bacterial infections will not give remedy to the patient, but rather may develop drug resistant bacteria in the body.
Pregnant women should use this drug only if it's absolutely necessary. Ertapenem is shown to be excreted in breast milk. Nursing mothers should first consult with their doctors and weigh the potential benefits against the risk of taking the drug.
Ertapenem has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of ertapenem is C22H25N3O7S
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 3-[5-[(3-carboxyphenyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-3-yl]sulfanyl-7-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2- methyl-6-oxo-5-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3-ene-4-carboxylic acid
• Molecular weight is 475.516 g/mol
Brand name(s): Invanz
Review published on: 03 August 2009
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