Generic Name: ertapenem (er ta PEN em)
Brand Names: INVanz, INVanz ADD-Vantage
What is ertapenem?
Ertapenem is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Ertapenem is used to treat severe infections of the skin, lungs, stomach, pelvis, and urinary tract. It is also used to prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery.
Ertapenem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ertapenem?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ertapenem or to any other antibiotic.
Before using ertapenem, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, a history of head injury or brain tumor, or if you are allergic to numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain..
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking ertapenem and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Ertapenem will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ertapenem?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ertapenem or to any other antibiotic, especially:
meropenem (Merrem);
imipenem (Primaxin);
a cephalosporin such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others; or
a penicillin such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Bicillin C-R, PC Pen VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, and others).
To make sure you can safely take ertapenem, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- kidney disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury or brain tumor; or
if you are allergic to a numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain.
FDA pregnancy category B. Ertapenem is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ertapenem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 months old.
How should I use ertapenem?
Ertapenem is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Ertapenem is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication. Shake the mixture well just before you measure a dose.
When injected into a vein, ertapenem must be given slowly and can take at least 30 minutes to complete.
Ertapenem is usually given as a daily injection for 3 to 14 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Ertapenem will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Store ertapenem powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
You may store the mixture for up to 6 hours at room temperature, or up to 24 hours in a refrigerator. Use the mixed medicine within 4 hours after removing it from a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, or dizziness.
What should I avoid while using ertapenem?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking ertapenem and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Ertapenem side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
fever;
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
tremors, twitching, or rigid (very stiff) muscles;
seizures (black-out or convulsions); or
diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild nausea or diarrhea, constipation;
vaginal itching or discharge;
headache; or
pain, redness, or mild swelling where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ertapenem Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:
Complicated: 1 gram IV or IM once daily for 5 to 14 days
Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Infections:
1 gram IV or IM once daily for 3 to 10 days
Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:
Community-acquired: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
The recommended total duration of antibiotic treatment is 10 to 14 days, which includes a possible conversion to oral therapy after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.
Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis:
1 gram IV or IM once daily
The recommended total duration of antibiotic treatment is 10 to 14 days, which includes a possible conversion to oral therapy after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.
Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:
Complicated: 1 gram IV or IM once daily for 7 to 14 days
The recommended total duration of antibiotic treatment for diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis is up to 28 days, which includes a possible conversion to oral therapy.
Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:
Complicated: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
The recommended total duration of antibiotic treatment is 10 to 14 days, which includes a possible conversion to oral therapy after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.
Usual Adult Dose for Infection Prophylaxis:
Prophylaxis of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery: 1 gram IV one time, one hour prior to surgical incision
Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:
Complicated infection:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or older: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 5 to 14 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pelvic Infections:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or older: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 3 to 10 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:
Community-acquired:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or older: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 10 to 14 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pyelonephritis:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or more: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 10 to 14 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:
Complicated:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or older: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 7 to 14 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:
Complicated:
3 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg IV or IM every 12 hours
Maximum dose: 1 g/day
13 years or more: 1 gram IV or IM once daily
Duration: 10 to 14 days
What other drugs will affect ertapenem?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
divalproex (Depakote);
valproic acid (Depakene); or
probenecid (Benemid).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with ertapenem. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More ertapenem resources
- Ertapenem Side Effects (in more detail)
- Ertapenem Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Ertapenem Drug Interactions
- Ertapenem Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Ertapenem - Add your own review/rating
- ertapenem Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Ertapenem MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Ertapenem Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Ertapenem Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Invanz Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare ertapenem with other medications
- Infection Prophylaxis
- Intraabdominal Infection
- Kidney Infections
- Pelvic Infections
- Pneumonia
- Skin Infection
- Urinary Tract Infection
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about ertapenem.
See also: ertapenem side effects (in more detail)
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