Ertapenem

KEY POINTS

• Ertapenem (Invanz) is a carbapenem and beta-lactam antibiotic that interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis in susceptible pathogens
• Reserve use whenever possible, as it is one of our last-line antibiotics
• Has activity against ESBL+ E. coli, Klebsiella and other multi-drug resistant Gram negative pathogens
  • Does NOT have activity versus Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas or Enterococcus “APE”
  • Sometimes referred to as “monkey-cillin” because does not cover “APE”, while meropenem is sometimes referred to as “gorilla-cillin” because does have activity against most “APE”
    • Note monkeys are not apes, but gorillas are
• Once daily dosing in adults
  • Typical dose is 1gm daily, but adjust for impaired kidney function

RESOURCES

• Ertapenem Package Insert
• IDSA Practice Guidelines
• Clinical Practice Guidelines For Antimicrobial Prophylaxis In Surgery