Ertapenem
About Ertapenem
Ertapenem is an injectable antibiotic used to treat moderate to severe bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It is prescribed for serious conditions like complicated lung, skin, stomach, and urinary tract infections, as well as gynaecological infections. Doctors often use this medication in hospital settings or through home-infusion programs to clear hard-to-treat bacterial growth.
This medication is typically injected once daily, and it is crucial to use it at the same time every day to maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body. Because it is given as an injection or intravenous infusion, it bypasses your digestive system entirely, meaning it can be injected regardless of when you last ate. Eating a balanced diet and staying well-hydrated can help your body recover more quickly from the underlying infection.
While using Ertapenem, you might experience mild side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, or redness at the injection site. However, if you develop severe watery or bloody diarrhoea, a high fever, or unusual muscle twitches, you must contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, seizures, or allergies to penicillin and other antibiotics. You should not take this medicine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to similar antibiotics in the past.
This medicine can lower the levels of certain seizure medications in your blood, making them less effective, so your doctor must review all your current prescriptions before your first dose. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider to ensure safe use.
Uses of Ertapenem
Medicinal Benefits
When used as prescribed, Ertapenem helps control serious bacterial infections and supports recovery. Its key benefits include:
- Rapid relief from severe infections: Because this medicine is injected directly into your bloodstream or muscle, it starts fighting bacteria immediately. This helps reduce severe symptoms like fever and pain much faster than oral medications.
- Convenient once-daily dosing: Unlike many other intravenous antibiotics that require multiple doses a day, Ertapenem is typically given just once every 24 hours. This makes it easier to manage, especially for patients receiving therapy at home.
- Broad-spectrum protection: It works against a wide variety of oxygen-loving and oxygen-avoiding bacteria. This ensures that complex infections caused by multiple types of bacteria are treated effectively with a single medication.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Ertapenem will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Ertapenem
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Nausea or mild stomach upset
- Headache
- Pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach cramps
- Sudden seizures, tremors, or muscle jerks
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing
- Confusion, severe dizziness, or unusual changes in mental state
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the vial before mixing: Check for cracks in the glass vial and ensure the dry powder is not clumped or discoloured before adding the liquid.
- Check the solution clarity: After mixing, make sure the liquid is completely clear without any visible floating specks before you inject it.
- Never reuse needles or syringes: Use a brand-new sterile needle and syringe for every single injection to prevent dangerous blood infections.
- Avoid mixing with other IV drugs: Do not mix Ertapenem in the same IV line or bag with other medications unless your doctor or pharmacist has explicitly told you it is safe.
- Monitor for injection site reactions: If you notice worsening warmth, severe swelling, or red streaks spreading from your injection site, contact your healthcare provider right away.
- Complete the full course: Even if your fever is gone and you feel healthy, finish the entire prescribed treatment to ensure all bacteria are killed and to prevent the infection from returning.
Drug Interactions
- Valproic acid or divalproex sodium: Ertapenem can significantly lower the levels of these seizure medicines in your blood, which increases your risk of experiencing a breakthrough seizure.
- Probenecid: Taking this gout medication alongside Ertapenem can prevent your kidneys from clearing the antibiotic, leading to abnormally high levels of the medicine in your body and increasing the risk of side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionErtapenem may not interact with alcohol. However, it is advised not to consume alcohol as it may interfere with your ability to fight infections.
Pregnancy
cautionErtapenem is a category B medicine and may not cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionErtapenem may get secreted in the breast milk. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Driving
cautionErtapenem may cause dizziness in some cases. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
safe if prescribedErtapenem is probably safe when used in patients with liver diseases. However, if you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
Kidney
cautionErtapenem should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Your doctor may adjust the dose if necessary based on your condition.
Children
cautionErtapenem is not recommended for use in children below 2 years of age. Your doctor will decide the dose of Ertapenem based on your child's age and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Support your gut health: Take a high-quality probiotic supplement or eat fermented foods like yoghurt with active cultures a few hours after your injection to help restore the healthy bacteria in your gut.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water and clear broths throughout the day, especially if you experience mild diarrhoea, to prevent dehydration.
- Rest and recover: Avoid strenuous physical activities while your body is fighting off a severe infection; prioritise getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
- Eat nutrient-rich meals: Focus on a diet high in lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals to provide your immune system with the energy it needs to repair tissues.
Special Advise
Ertapenem may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work as well. Do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Intra-abdominal infections: It is a broader term used to describe infections associated with the stomach, intestine, peritoneum (lining of the abdominal wall), or other parts present in the abdomen. It mostly occurs due to a complication of another condition, such as appendicitis, following surgery, or a trauma. Symptoms depend on the organ affected or the site of infection. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and change in bowel habits.
Diabetic foot infections: These are major complications of diabetes. In this condition, the skin tissues break down and expose the inner parts of the skin layer. This diabetic foot infection occurs when the diabetes level becomes uncontrollable. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization among diabetic patients.
Community-acquired pneumonia: It is called community-acquired as this infection is acquired outside the hospital. It is most commonly caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia. Symptoms include cough, heavy sputum, shortness of breath, fever, and chills. The risk factors are smoking, age above 65 years, alcoholism, and a weak immune system.
Urinary tract infection (UTI): It is an infection in any part of the urinary system- the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. A bladder infection may cause an increased urge to urinate, pelvic pain, pain during urination, and blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause tenderness and pain in the back, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. The causes of UTI include a weak immune system, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, prolonged use of urinary catheters, diabetes, poor bathroom hygiene, sexual activity, and age.
Pelvic infections: It is also called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is a sexually transmitted infection of the female reproductive organs. Symptoms include pelvic pain, fever, and vaginal discharge.
FAQs
Ertapenem is used to treat bacterial infections. It can be used to treat intra-abdominal (stomach) infections, skin infections such as diabetic foot infections, community-acquired pneumonia (lung infection), and acute (short-term) gynaecological infections such as urinary tract infections and pelvic infections. It is also used to prevent surgical site infections in patients who have undergone surgery on the colon or rectum.
Ertapenem contains ‘Ertapenem’, which belongs to the class of ‘carbapenem antibiotics. It has bactericidal action and kills the bacteria that are causing the infection. It works by destroying the cell wall (outer layer of the bacteria), which is essential for its survival.
Ertapenem may not cause anemia. However, it can lower platelet and white blood cell (WBC) count in some patients. Consult your doctor immediately.
Ertapenem may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and injection site pain. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or get severe, consult a doctor immediately.
intra-abdominal infection is a broader term used to describe infections associated with the stomach, intestine, peritoneum (lining of the abdominal wall), or other parts present in the abdomen. It mostly occurs due to a complication of another condition, such as appendicitis, following surgery, or a trauma. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and change in bowel habits.Â
If Ertapenem isn't suitable for you, don't hesitate to share any concerns or issues with Ertapenem, and your doctor will guide you through the next steps. They will explore alternative treatments. They may recommend a different antibiotic or adjust the dosage to minimize side effects. Your doctor will work closely with you to find a personalized solution for your unique needs and medical history.
Drug resistance occurs when bacteria or other microbes adapt and stop reacting to the medications intended to kill them. This makes infections more difficult to treat. Yes, it is possible to become resistant to Ertapenem. Bacteria can create enzymes called carbapenemases that break down Ertapenem, rendering it useless.
Ertapenem may cause a drop in blood sugar levels, although this is not very common. If you have diabetes and are prescribed Ertapenem to treat foot infections, regular blood sugar monitoring is crucial. Consult your doctor if you notice significant changes.
Ertapenem is not recommended for use in children below 2 years of age. Your doctor will decide the dose of Ertapenem based on your child's age and condition.
Do not stop taking your Ertapenem even if you are feeling better! It's important to have a complete recovery. Stopping too soon can cause incomplete recovery, recurrence of symptoms, and side effects. Instead, tell your doctor about your development and follow their instructions to ensure the best outcome for your health.
Ertapenem is given parenterally, which means it is injected. It can be given as a slow drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) over 30 minutes, or as an injection deep into a large muscle. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your specific injection method.
Some people who are allergic to penicillin may also have an allergic reaction to Ertapenem. It is important to tell your healthcare provider about any past drug allergies before you start this medication. Talk to your doctor to see if this treatment is safe for you.
Alcohol does not directly stop this antibiotic from working, but drinking alcohol can dehydrate your body and weaken your immune system while you are recovering from a severe infection. It is best to avoid alcohol during your recovery. Talk to your doctor for specific advice.
This antibiotic remains active in your body's tissues and blood for a long time after a single dose. This long-lasting effect allows it to kill bacteria continuously with just one injection every 24 hours. Talk to your doctor if you want to understand more about your dosing schedule.
Seizures are a rare but recognised serious side effect of this class of antibiotics. They are more likely to occur in people who have pre-existing kidney problems or brain disorders. Talk to your doctor if you have a history of seizures or kidney disease.
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if it is clearly needed and prescribed by a specialist. Small amounts of the medicine can pass into breast milk, so precautions may be necessary. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
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