CARBAPENEMS

3. CARBAPENEMS (BETA LACTAMS)



This is a group of broad spectrum antibiotics released from 1985 and seen as our last effective defense against multi-resistant bacterial infections. Their chemical structure includes an extra carbon instead of a Sulphur molecule. However, resistance to these drugs is also on the rise. Most have names that include – “penem” .

They include  Doribax, Doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem/cilastatin, Invanz, Meropenem, meropenem/vaborbactam, Merrem IV, Primaxin, Vabomere

Metabolism -liver

Elimination- renal

Pregnancy category- C

Side effects

Ø  phlebitis or pain at site of infusion.
Ø  nausea.
Ø  vomiting.
Ø  fits (usually in patients with pre-existing CNS disease or patients with renal failure and excessively high levels of imipenem metabolites)



4. MONOBACTAMS

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