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Overview: Ertapenem is an antibiotic that is used for infections caused by certain bacteria. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Tell your health care provider if you are taking seizure medicine or have a history of seizures before starting ertapenem. Talk to your health care provider right away if you have severe diarrhea, even several months after stopping the medicine.

Uses

What is ertapenem used for?

Ertapenem is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Ertapenem may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to ertapenem, which will make it not work as well.

Ertapenem may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does ertapenem work (mechanism of action)?

Ertapenem kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create their cell wall.

How is ertapenem supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Invanz 

Dosage forms and strengths

Ertapenem is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store ertapenem?

Ertapenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ertapenem?

The most common side effects of ertapenem are listed below. Side effects can vary based on the age of the person and the condition being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Pain or redness at the infusion site

There may be other side effects of ertapenem that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ertapenem?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ertapenem are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ertapenem may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, or DRESS. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Seizures. Some people who have used ertapenem have reported having seizures. This happens most often in people who have a history of seizures, kidney problems, or other brain conditions. People who take certain medicines to treat a seizure disorder may also be at an increased risk of seizures while using ertapenem. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including ertapenem. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen two or more months after stopping the antibiotic. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your poop
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ertapenem?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use ertapenem.

  • Ertapenem
  • Invanz
  • Any other medicine known as an amide local anesthetic (ertapenem injected into a muscle)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ertapenem products they stock.

Allergies to Certain Antibiotics. You should not use ertapenem if you have an allergy to certain types of antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, or monobactams. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

What should I know about ertapenem before using it?

Ertapenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Ertapenem can increase your risk of seizures and confusion. See the Side Effects section for more details. If you have a history of seizures, it is important that you take any seizure medicine as prescribed while using ertapenem.

What should I tell my health care provider before using ertapenem?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if ertapenem is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Seizures
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ertapenem may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using ertapenem, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ertapenem could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Ertapenem passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use ertapenem while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does ertapenem interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between ertapenem and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect ertapenem, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. Alcohol and ertapenem can both cause confusion. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while using ertapenem.

Does ertapenem interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using ertapenem. 

  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Valproic acid, divalproex sodium, and valproate sodium (Depakote and others), which is a medicine used for seizures and other conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ertapenem. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ertapenem?

If you or someone else has used too much ertapenem, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ertapenem?

Ertapenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving ertapenem as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your ertapenem dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of ertapenem, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to ertapenem or other similar medicines.