What is Ertapenem?

Ertapenem is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.
Ertapenem is used to treat severe bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, stomach, pelvis, and urinary tract. It is also used to prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery.
Ertapenem may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Ertapenem?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ertapenem or to any other antibiotics, or to numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain.
Before using ertapenem, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, or a history of head injury or brain tumor.
Ertapenem is given as an injection into a muscle, or through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ertapenem will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ertapenem?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ertapenem or to any other antibiotics, such as:

• meropenem (Merrem)
• imipenem (Primaxin)
• a cephalosporin such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefadroxil (Duricef), cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), and others; or
• a penicillin antibiotic such as ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others)

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially lidocaine or Novocain), or if you have:

• kidney disease
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• a history of head injury or brain tumor

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ertapenem, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Ertapenem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 months old.

Ertapenem Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Ertapenem?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• seizures (black-out or convulsions)
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or
• confusion, unusual thoughts, or changes in behavior

Continue using ertapenem and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation
• vaginal itching or discharge
• drowsiness
• headache; or
• pain, redness, or mild swelling where the medicine was injected

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ertapenem Interactions

What other drugs affect Ertapenem?

Before taking ertapenem, tell your doctor if you are also taking probenecid (Benemid). You may not be able to use ertapenem, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect ertapenem. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Ertapenem?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Ertapenem Dosage

How should I take Ertapenem?

Ertapenem is given as an injection into a muscle, or through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.
Ertapenem must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before it is given. Be sure you understand how to properly mix the medication before using it at home.
When given as an IV infusion into a vein, ertapenem must be given slowly, and can take at least 30 minutes to complete.
Ertapenem is usually given as a daily injection for 3 to 14 days. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ertapenem will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.
Store ertapenem at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Once the medicine has been mixed with a diluent, you may store it at room temperature for up to 6 hours.
Mixed medicine may also be stored in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze. Use the mixed medicine within 4 hours after removing it from a refrigerator.

What happens if I overdose on Ertapenem?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an ertapenem overdose may include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.

What happens if I miss a dose of Ertapenem?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com