infections
Carbapenems
Introduction
Carbapenems are a subclass of Overview of Antibiotics called beta-lactam antibiotics (antibiotics that have a chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring). Beta-lactam antibiotics also include Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics. That is, they are effective against many types of bacteria, including bacteria that are resistant to many other antibiotics. Carbapenems include the following: Doripenem Ertapenem Imipenem Meropenem Carbapenems must be given by injection. They are often used with Aminoglycosides to treat some infections because using them together enhances the effectiveness of both antibiotics. Imipenem is always given in combination with another drug cilastatin and sometimes also relebactam. Cilastatin and relebactam are not antibiotics. They help prolong the effect of imipenem by protecting it from being broken down. Some bacteria have an outer covering (cell wall) that protects them. Like other beta-lactam antibiotics, carbapenems work by preventing bacteria from forming this cell wall, resulting in death of the bacteria. Rarely, because carbapenems are structurally similar to the penicillins, people who have an Allergies to Drugs to penicillins have an allergic reaction to carbapenems. Drug Drug Common Uses Common Uses Some Potential Side Effects Some Potential Side Effects Doripenem Ertapenem Imipenem-cilastatin Imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam Meropenem Meropenem-vaborbactam Symptoms None Sepsis and Septic Shock None Overview of Pneumonia None Abdominal and Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) None Infections due to susceptible bacteria resistant to other antibiotics , Pseudomonas Infections or Uncommonly, seizures (risk is slightly higher with imipenem) Confusion Rarely, an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to penicillin (See also Overview of Antibiotics .) 