Carbapenems are a subclass of antibiotics called beta-lactam antibiotics (antibiotics that have a chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring). Beta-lactam antibiotics also include cephalosporins, monobactams, and penicillins.
Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics. That is, they are effective against many types of bacteria, including bacteria that are resistant to many other antibiotics.
Carbapenems include the following:
Imipenem
Carbapenems must be given by injection. They are often used with aminoglycosides to treat some infections because using them together enhances the effectiveness of both antibiotics.
Imipenem is always given in combination with another drug cilastatin and sometimes also relebactam. Cilastatin and relebactam are not antibiotics. They help prolong the effect of imipenem by protecting it from being broken down.
Some bacteria have an outer covering (cell wall) that protects them. Like other beta-lactam antibiotics, carbapenems work by preventing bacteria from forming this cell wall, resulting in death of the bacteria.
Rarely, because carbapenems are structurally similar to the penicillins, people who have an allergic reaction to penicillins have an allergic reaction to carbapenems.
Carbapenems
Drug | Common Uses | Some Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
Imipenem-cilastatin Imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam | Abdominal and urinary infections Infections due to susceptible bacteria resistant to other antibiotics | Uncommonly, seizures (risk is slightly higher with imipenem) Confusion Rarely, an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to penicillin |
(See also Overview of Antibiotics.)
Use of Carbapenems During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
When carbapenems were given to pregnant animals, no harmful effects on the fetus were observed. However, carbapenems have not been tested in pregnant women. (See also Drug Use During Pregnancy.)
Carbapenems are excreted in breast milk and may affect the balance of normal bacteria in the baby's digestive tract. (See also Drug Use During Breastfeeding.)
