Formulary
Ertapenem: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ertapenem clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Ertapenem: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ertapenem clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Abdominal infections,Acute gynaecological infections,Community-acquired pneumonia**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): 1 g once daily.
**Diabetic foot infections of the skin and soft-tissue**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): 1 g once daily.
**Surgical prophylaxis, colorectal surgery**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): 1 g for 1 dose, dose to be completed within 1 hour before surgery.
**Abdominal infections, Acute gynaecological infections, Community-acquired pneumonia for ertapenem**
- **Child 3 months-12 years** (By intravenous infusion): 15 mg/kg every 12 hours (max. per dose 500 mg).
- **Child 13-17 years** (By intravenous infusion): 1 g once daily.
**Diabetic foot infections of the skin and soft-tissue for ertapenem**
- **Child 13-17 years** (By intravenous infusion): 1 g once daily.
Cautions
CNS disorders-risk of seizures; elderly
Side effects
Common or very common Diarrhoea; headache; nausea; skin reactions; thrombophlebitis; vomiting Uncommon Appetite decreased; arrhythmias; asthenia; confusion; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; hypotension; increased risk of infection; insomnia; oedema; pseudomembranous enterocolitis; seizure; swelling; taste altered; throat discomfort Rare or very rare Anxiety; cholecystitis; depression; dysphagia; eye disorder; haemorrhage; hepatic disorders; hypersensitivity; hypoglycaemia; malaise; muscle cramps; nasal congestion; neutropenia; renal impairment; shoulder pain; syncope; thrombocytopenia; tremor Frequency not known Aggression; antibiotic associated colitis; delirium; drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS); gait abnormal; hallucination; level of consciousness decreased; movement disorders; muscle weakness; psychiatric disorder; tooth discolouration
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- The lowered valproic acid levels can lead to inadequate seizure control; therefore, concomitant use of ertapenem and valproic acid/sodium valproate is not recommended and alternative antibacterial...
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk.
Breast feeding
Present in milk-manufacturer advises avoid.
Renal impairment
Dose adjustments With intravenous use: Risk of seizures; max. 500 mg daily if eGFR less than 30 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 .
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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