Ertapenem (Systemic)

Brand Names : Invanz

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ertapenem, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ertapenem. Also tell your health care professional if you have ever had any had any unusual or allergic reaction to penicillins, cephalosporins, beta-lactamase inhibitors, lidocaine, or local anesthetics of the amide type. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Ertapenem has not been studied in pregnant women. Ertapenem also has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - Ertapenem passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have only been done in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of ertapenem in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Ertapenem has not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes different side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ertapenem, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Probenecid (e.g. Benemid)
  Use of this medicine with ertapenem may increase the amount of ertapenem in the body

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ertapenem. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Gastrointestinal disease (for example, stomach or intestinal problems, especially diarrhea) - Patients with stomach or intestinal problems, especially diarrhea, may be more likely to have side effects

• Central nervous system (CNS) disorders (for example, brain disease or history of seizures) - Patients with nervous system disorders, including seizures, may be more likely to have side effects

• Kidney disease - Patients with kidney disease may be more likely to have side effects