Antimicrobials
Ertapenem

Ertapenem

Restricted

High
N/A

Dosing

General Information

  1. Therapy of severe infections involving Gram-negative organisms in patients who are intolerant of, or unresponsive to, or whose isolates are suspected or documented to be resistant§ to, first line agents and piperacillin-tazobactam. 
  2. Therapy of severe suspected or documented polymicrobial infections in patients who are intolerant of, or unresponsive to, or whose isolates are suspected or documented to be resistant§ to, first line agents and piperacillin-tazobactam. 
  3. NOT for use in surgical prophylaxis. 

§Examples of implicated resistant organisms include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Organisms expressing Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL); 
  • Organisms with inducible AmpC beta-lactamases (such as Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Morganella morganii, and Serratia marcescens). 

NOTE: Ertapenem does not provide coverage for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  Ertapenem may not provide adequate coverage for AmpC-hyperproducing Enterobacter cloaceae and Citrobacter freundii, carefully review susceptibility results and local antibiograms. Cannot assume ertapenem susceptibility from meropenem or imipenem susceptibility

  • Immediate and delayed-type allergy
  • GI disturbance
  • Cytopenias, eosinophilia, positive Coombs
  • Liver enzyme abnormalities
  • Seizure risk lower than other carbapenems

Antimicrobial class: Carbapenem

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 4 hours

Urine penetration: Therapeutic

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Biliary penetration: Moderate