About ertapenem
Carbapenem antibiotic
Used for
- Treats certain serious bacterial infections, including abdominal, pelvic, skin, and lung infections.
- Prevents infection after colorectal surgery.
Usual adult dose
1 g intravenously once daily; duration depends on infection.
Usual dose in children
For ages 3 months–12 years: 15 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours, maximum 1 g daily. Not established for younger infants.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Headache
- Infusion-site pain or inflammation
- Rash
Important warnings
- Use only for susceptible bacterial infections; it does not treat viral infections.
- Adjust dose in significant kidney impairment; dosing differs with dialysis.
- Seizures and other nervous-system effects can occur, especially with kidney impairment or seizure disorders.
- Serious allergic reactions and antibiotic-associated severe diarrhea are possible.
Pregnancy
Use when clearly needed; human pregnancy data are limited.
Breastfeeding
Ertapenem enters breast milk in small amounts; infant effects are uncertain.
Interactions
- Probenecid increases ertapenem exposure; concurrent use is generally not recommended.
- May lower valproate levels and trigger seizures; avoid the combination when possible.
- May reduce oral contraceptive effectiveness; use additional or alternative contraception during treatment and for one month afterward.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.