Details

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. You should not inject ertapenem into a muscle if you are allergic to a numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain. To make sure ertapenem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease epilepsy or other seizure disorder or a history of head injury or brain tumour. Ertapenem is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it.

Typical Uses

Ertapenem is used to prevent and treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is known as a carbapenem-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This medication is given by injection into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. It is given as directed by your doctor, usually 1 hour before your surgery.

Side Effects

Common side effects of ertapenem include severe stomach pain, diarrhoea that is watery or bloody tremors, twitching, or rigid (very stiff) muscles a seizure (convulsions) unusual changes in your mood or behaviour nausea, vomiting headache or pain, redness, or mild swelling where the injection was given.

Drug Interactions

• Ertapenem+tramadol- Tramadol may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as ertapenem may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.

• Ertapenem+bupropion- Bupropion may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as ertapenem may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.

• Ertapenem+iohexol- Before you undergo any imaging procedure where iohexol may be injected directly into the spine let your doctor know if you are currently being treated with ertapenem. Injection of iohexol into the spine can sometimes cause seizures, and the risk may be increased if you are also using other medications that can cause seizures such as ertapenem. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.

• Ertapenem+metrizamide- Before you undergo any imaging procedure where metrizamide may be injected directly into the spine let your doctor know if you are currently being treated with ertapenem. Injection of metrizamide into the spine can sometimes cause seizures, and the risk may be increased if you are also using oth

Mechanism of action

Ertapenem is an antibiotic of the beta-lactam group, which works by killing the infection causing bacteria.

Pregnancy Category : B