Other Brands/Names

Cilanem, Daryaven, Doribax, Doripenem Yarindo, Ribacter dan Tironem.

How It Works

Doripenem is an antibiotic that eliminates bacteria or inhibits their growth. It acts by blocking penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), enzymes that facilitate the synthesis of proteins forming the bacterial cell wall. When this enzymatic activity is inhibited, the synthesis of the cell-wall proteins will be impaired. Bacteria that cannot maintain an intact protein wall will lose their integrity and die.

Indications

This medicine is indicated for severe bacterial infections of the intra-abdominal region, urinary tract, or kidneys. Such infections are typically more serious and have a greater chance of treatment failure, so antibiotic courses are generally longer than for milder conditions. Doripenem may be administered with other agents and must be used under a physician’s supervision.

Contraindication

Doripenem is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to doripenem or to other beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins.

Side Effects

Adverse effects that may occur include:

• Injection-site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

• Headache.

• Nausea.

• Diarrhea.

• Itching.

• Anemia (reduced red blood cell count).

Several serious reactions require medical attention, including:

• Elevated liver enzymes
• Reduced platelet count
• Convulsions
• Severe allergic reactions (generalized rashes, swelling, shortness of breath).

Types

This drug is available as reconstituted powder for injection, 500 mg vial.

Dosage

The dosage of doripenem depends on the infection being treated, as follows:

Severe abdominal infections

• 500 mg given intravenously over 1 hour every 8 hours.

• Treatment duration is 5–14 days.

• After at least three days of intravenous therapy and clinical improvement, therapy may be switched to an appropriate oral antibiotic.

Urinary tract and kidney infections (pyelonephritis)

• 500 mg given intravenously over 1 hour every 8 hours.

• The usual duration is about 10 days, which may be extended to 14 days if the infection has become systemic.

• After at least three days of intravenous therapy and symptom improvement, treatment may be transitioned to oral medication.

Safety

Doripenem is classified as FDA category B in pregnancy. This category indicates animal studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk. For breastfeeding, it is unknown whether doripenem is excreted in human milk. Discuss use with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

The following interactions may occur with doripenem:

• Concomitant use of doripenem with medications that lower uric acid levels (probenecid) can increase doripenem serum levels.
• Use of doripenem with anticonvulsant (valproic acid) may reduce valproic acid levels and raise seizure risk.

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