drugs

Ertapenem

Severpenem is a beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the class of carbapenems. It is mainly used for the treatment of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and is endowed with a certain resistance against beta-lactamases (enzymes produced by bacterial species that hydrolyze the beta-lactam ring of the antibiotic, thus making it inactive).

Ertapenem - Chemical Structure

Furthermore, the agrepenem has a chemical structure that gives it resistance also against dehydropeptidase-1 (an endogenous enzyme found in the kidney) which, otherwise, would degrade the antibiotic preventing it from carrying out its action.

Indications

For what it uses

The œreapenem is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria sensitive to it, including:

  • Abdominal infections;
  • Lung infections (pneumonia);
  • Gynecological infections;
  • Skin infections of the feet of patients with diabetes.

In addition, the agrepenem can be used in the prevention therapy of surgical infections following a colon or rectum surgery.

Warnings

If - during treatment with ertapenem - any type of allergic reaction occurs, therapy with the drug must be stopped immediately and the doctor must be informed immediately, as adequate treatment may be necessary.

Aspirenem can promote the onset of superinfections with resistant bacteria or fungi that are normally present within the human bacterial flora. Therefore, patients should be monitored for early detection of these infections.

In case of diarrhea, it is necessary to inform the doctor, as it could be a sign of colitis.

Before taking Sassapenem, inform your doctor if you are in one of the following cases:

  • If you suffer from any kidney disease and if you are undergoing dialysis treatment;
  • If you are allergic to other antibiotics or any other medicine;
  • If you suffer from disorders of the central nervous system, such as localized tremors or convulsions.

Severpenem can cause side effects that can affect the ability to drive or use machines, so caution should be used. Such activities should be avoided until you are sure that the drug does not cause the aforementioned adverse effects.

Interactions

Because of the possible interactions that can occur, before taking the agerpenem, you must inform your doctor if you are already on therapy with valproate (a drug used to treat epilepsy).

In any case, your doctor must always be informed of the medications you are taking, or that you have recently taken, including medicines without a prescription and homeopathic and / or herbal products.

Side effects

Assapenem can trigger various types of side effects, although not all patients experience them. This is because each person has their own sensitivity to the drug. Therefore, it is not said that the adverse effects occur all with the same intensity in each individual.

The following are the main side effects that can occur during ertapenem therapy.

Allergic reactions

Aspirenem may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These reactions can manifest as symptoms, such as:

  • Skin eruptions;
  • Temperature;
  • Swelling of the face and throat with consequent difficulty in breathing and swallowing;
  • Anaphylaxis.

Nervous system disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can cause:

  • Headache;
  • Fatigue;
  • Drowsiness;
  • dizziness;
  • Tremors;
  • Abnormal movements;
  • Muscle weakness;
  • Uncertain walk;
  • Convulsions.

Psychiatric disorders

Ertapenem-based therapy can cause agitation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, mental confusion and reduced consciousness.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can cause:

  • Nausea or vomiting;
  • Diarrhea or constipation;
  • Antibiotic diarrhea;
  • Difficulty of digestion;
  • Acid regurgitation;
  • Abdominal pain.

Cardiovascular disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can cause changes in heart rate, hypertension or hypotension.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can promote the onset of skin rashes, itching, redness of the skin, inflammation of the skin, fungal infections of the skin and peeling of the skin.

Lung and respiratory tract disorders

Ertapenem therapy can cause:

  • Sore throat;
  • Breathless breathing;
  • Cough;
  • Nasal congestion;
  • Nose bleeding;
  • Breathing wheezes;
  • Pneumonia.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can cause changes in liver function, inflammation of the gallbladder, jaundice and liver disorders.

Female genital tract disorders

Treatment with ertapenem may cause irritation, leakage or vaginal bleeding. Furthermore, although very rarely, some cases of abortion have been reported.

Kidney and urinary tract disorders

Treatment with ertapenem can cause kidney dysfunction and urinary tract infections.

Other side effects

Other side effects that may occur during treatment with ertapenem are:

  • Decreased blood sugar levels;
  • Pelvic peritonitis;
  • Muscle cramps;
  • Temperature;
  • Edema;
  • Chest pain;
  • Decreased white blood cells and platelets in the bloodstream;
  • Changes in blood tests;
  • Fainting;
  • Inflammation and swelling at the injection site.

Side effects in children and adolescents from three months of age to 17 years of age

Treatment with ertapenem can cause particular types of adverse effects in this category of patients. These effects include:

  • Diarrhea;
  • Diaper dermatitis;
  • Changes in the levels of white blood cells in the blood;
  • Changes in liver function tests;
  • Faeces color changes or black stools;
  • Burning, itching, redness or pain at the injection site of the drug;
  • Headache;
  • Hot flashes;
  • Hypertension;
  • Increased number of platelets in the blood;
  • Hallucinations;
  • Changes in mental status;
  • Aggression.

Overdose

If an ertapenem overdose is suspected, the doctor or nurse should be informed immediately.

Action mechanism

The erepenpenem carries out its antibiotic action interfering with the synthesis of the peptidoglycan, ie it interferes with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

Peptidoglycan is a polymer made up of parallel chains of nitrogenated carbohydrates, joined together by transverse bonds between amino acid residues.

These bonds are formed thanks to the action of enzymes belonging to the peptidase family.

The œreapenem binds to some of these enzymes, hindering the formation of the above transverse bonds. In doing so, weak areas form inside the peptidoglycan that lead to the lysis of the bacterial cell and, consequently, to its death.

Mode of Use - Posology

The agrepenem is available for intravenous administration in the form of a powder that must be dissolved in a special solvent just before its use.

Severpenem is administered by a doctor or nurse.

Below are some indications on the doses of medication usually used.

The duration of treatment with the antibiotic is established by the doctor.

Adults and adolescents from 13 years of age

The dose of ertapenem usually used is 1 g of drug, to be administered once a day.

Children from 3 months of age to 12 years of age

In children, the dose of ertapenem usually used is 15 mg / kg of body weight to be administered twice a day. The maximum daily dose of 1 g of drug should never be exceeded.

Prophylaxis of surgical infections

For the prevention of surgical infections following colon or rectum surgery, the dose of ertapenem usually used is 1 g of drug, to be administered one hour before the surgical incision.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of alertpenem by pregnant women should be carried out only if the doctor considers it actually necessary and only after a careful evaluation of the relationship between the expected benefits for the mother and the potential risks to the fetus.

Because the endopenem is excreted in breast milk and may have effects on the newborn, breastfeeding mothers should not take the drug. In any case, you need to talk to your doctor.

Contraindications

The use of the agrepenem is contraindicated in the following cases:

  • In patients with known hypersensitivity to alertpenem or other carbapenems;
  • In patients with known hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, penicillins and monobactams.