Ertapenem
Other Anti-infective Preps · Carbapenem
Indications
Complicated intra-abdominal infection, community acquired pneumonia, complicated UTI including pyelonephritis, acute pelvic infections including endomyometritis, septic abortion and post-surgical gynaecological functions, complicated skin and soft tissue infection including diabetic lower extremity infection, bacterial septicaemia caused by susceptible strains.
Dosage
Adults: 1 gm once a day. Children: 3 mth-12 yr, 15 mg/kg twice daily. Children: >13 yr: Same as adult dose. Administer by IV infusion or IM inj for 3-14 days. Surgical prophylaxis: Adults: 1 gm IV infusion over 30 min, to be completed within 1 hr prior to surgical incision.
Administration
IV infuse over 30 min. Reconstitution: IM: Reconstitute 1 gm vial with 3.2 mL of 1% lidocaine HCl injection (without epinephrine). Shake well. Use within 1 hour after preparation. IV: Reconstitute 1 gm vial with 10 mL of WFI, 0.9% NaCl, or bacteriostatic water for injection. Shake well, transfer to 50 mL of 0.9% NaCl. Compatibility: Do not mix with other medications or use diluents containing dextrose. Stability: Before reconstitution store at = 25 °C. Reconstituted IV solution may be stored at room temperature and use within 6 hours or refrigerated, store for up to 24 hours and use within 4 hours after removal from refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Adverse Effects
Headache, infused vein complications, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, CNS disorders, extravasation, hypotension, dyspnoea, rash, vaginal pruritus, inj site reaction. Rarely blood dyscrasias, hypoglycaemia, cardiovascular disturbance, respiratory symptoms, hypersensitivity. Elevated ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, platelet count.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to beta-lactams. IM Inj: Hypersensitivity to amide-type local anaesthesia and in patients with severe shock or heart block. Severe renal impairment. Precautions: History of colitis, infant less than 3 months. Surgery exceeding 4 hrs duration.
Interactions
Probenecid, valproate.
Advice to Patient
Administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Contact prescriber if there is redness/swelling/warmth/irritation at infusion or injection site or if there is unrelieved nausea or vomiting, dizziness, change in vision, headache, disorientation, seizures, confusion, abdominal pain, severe persistent diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, palpitations, skin rash, odd-smelling vaginal discharge, white patches on tongue or in mouth. Watery or bloody stools can occur 2 or more months after therapy and can be serious, requiring immediate treatment. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: IM: Almost complete. Metabolism: Non-CYP-mediated hydrolysis to inactive metabolite. Bioavailability: IM: Approx. 90%. Half-life elimination: Infants =3 mths and Children: Approx. 2.5 hrs. Adolescents and Adults: Approx. 4 hrs. Time to peak: IM: Approx. 2.3 hrs. Excretion: Urine (approx. 80%). Faeces (approx. 10%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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