Doripenem

Generic name: Doripenem
Brand name: Doribax
Drug class: Carbapenems

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is doripenem?

Doripenem is a prescription medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections.

Description

DORIBAX, doripenem monohydrate for injection vials contain 500 mg of doripenem on an anhydrous basis, a white to slightly-yellowish off-white sterile crystalline powder. All references to doripenem activity are expressed in terms of the active doripenem moiety. The powder is constituted for intravenous infusion. The pH of the infusion solution is between 4.5 and 5.5.

DORIBAX® is not formulated with any inactive ingredients.

DORIBAX® (doripenem monohydrate) is a synthetic broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic structurally related to beta-lactam antibiotics. The chemical name for doripenem monohydrate is (4R,5S,6S)-3-[((3S,5S)-5-[[(aminosulfonyl)amino]methyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl) thio]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid monohydrate. Its molecular weight is 438.52, and its chemical structure is:

Before taking doripenem, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to doripenem; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Divalproex or valproic acid.
• If you are taking probenecid.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with doripenem.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take doripenem with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take doripenem?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take doripenem. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your blood work checked if you are on doripenem for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Severe and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened with drugs like this one.
• If you are 65 or older, use doripenem with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is doripenem best taken?

Use doripenem as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are the side effects of doripenem that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Seizures.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.

What are some other side effects of doripenem?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach.
• Diarrhea.
• Irritation where doripenem is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out doripenem?

• If you need to store doripenem at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

SRC: NLM .