FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Ertapenem Injection

Ertapenem injection is a carbapenem antibiotic used to treat moderate to severe bacterial infections including abdominal, skin, urinary tract, lung, and pelvic infections, and to prevent surgical site infection after colorectal surgery.

Brand name Invanz
Drug classes ⓘ Carbapenems
Rx Form 1 Routes Intramuscular, Intravenous · Intramuscular; Intravenous
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 17 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveFeb 4, 2026
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ17
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ2001
FDA-listed product records ⓘ39
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 22, 2026
⭐ Ertapenem Injection at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Ertapenem injection (Invanz) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic given by IV or IM injection to treat serious bacterial infections in adults and children. It requires careful monitoring for allergic reactions, seizures, and C. difficile diarrhea, and it must not be combined with valproic acid or divalproex sodium without close medical supervision. Always complete the full course prescribed and report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare team right away.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Ertapenem Injection: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Ertapenem Injection — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Ertapenem injection is a carbapenem antibiotic approved for treating and, in one specific situation, preventing serious bacterial infections. The following uses are supported across the evidence:

  • Complicated intra-abdominal (abdominal cavity) infections — in adults and children 3 months and older
  • Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis (bone infection) — in adults and children 3 months and older
  • Community-acquired pneumonia — in adults and children 3 months and older
  • Complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis (kidney infection) — in adults and children 3 months and older
  • Acute pelvic infections, including postpartum endomyometritis (uterine lining infection after delivery), septic abortion, and post-surgical gynecologic infections — in adults and children 3 months and older
  • In adults only: prevention of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery (single IV dose before the procedure)
⚙️How it works▾

Ertapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that kills bacteria by blocking the construction of their cell walls. Bacteria need a sturdy cell wall to hold their shape and protect themselves — without it, they fall apart and die. Because human cells do not have cell walls, this mechanism targets the bacteria specifically.

It is important to use ertapenem only for infections caused by bacteria that are actually susceptible to it. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria — germs that no longer respond to treatment — making future infections harder to treat.

💊How it's taken▾

Ertapenem injection is given either as a slow IV infusion into a vein (over 30 minutes) or as an IM injection into a large muscle. Adults and teenagers 13 and older typically receive one dose daily; children 3 months to 12 years typically receive doses twice daily. The surgical prevention dose for adults is a single IV infusion given 1 hour before the operation.

  • IV treatment may continue for up to 14 days; IM treatment for up to 7 days.
  • Adults with significant kidney impairment or those on hemodialysis may need a lower or adjusted dose — your prescriber will determine this.
  • There is no specific dose adjustment guidance for liver impairment.
  • Always follow your prescriber's exact schedule; do not skip doses or stop early without medical guidance.
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

Most side effects with ertapenem are mild to moderate. The most commonly reported include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Infusion or injection site pain, redness, or swelling
  • Altered mental status or confusion
  • Constipation
  • Rash
  • Fever

More serious reactions — including severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), seizures, and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea that can range from mild to life-threatening — require immediate medical attention. If you develop difficulty breathing, hives, seizures, or severe diarrhea, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care right away.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis): Potentially life-threatening reactions have occurred with ertapenem and other beta-lactam antibiotics. People with a history of penicillin or beta-lactam allergy are at higher risk. Emergency treatment is required if a reaction occurs.
  • Seizures: Seizures and other nervous system effects have been reported, most commonly in people with existing brain conditions or reduced kidney function. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures.
  • Valproic acid interaction: Ertapenem can sharply reduce blood levels of valproic acid or divalproex sodium (seizure medications), potentially triggering a breakthrough seizure. This combination is generally not recommended.
  • C. difficile diarrhea (CDAD): Like all antibiotics, ertapenem can disrupt normal gut bacteria and allow C. difficile to overgrow, causing diarrhea that can become severe or fatal. This can occur even weeks after finishing the antibiotic.
  • IM injection precaution: When given as an intramuscular injection, care must be taken to avoid injecting into a blood vessel. The IM solution contains lidocaine and must never be injected into a vein.
  • Drug resistance: Ertapenem should only be used for proven or strongly suspected bacterial infections to help preserve antibiotic effectiveness.
🔀What it interacts with▾

Ertapenem has two key drug interactions to be aware of:

  • Valproic acid / divalproex sodium: Ertapenem significantly lowers blood levels of these seizure medications. This can cause breakthrough seizures even in people whose epilepsy has been stable. This combination is generally avoided; a different antibiotic should be chosen if possible.
  • Probenecid: This gout medication blocks the kidneys from clearing ertapenem normally, causing ertapenem levels in the blood to rise. These two drugs should not be taken together.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Tell your doctor about any allergy to penicillin, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics — cross-reactions can occur.
  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to amide-type local anesthetics (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) — the intramuscular form is prepared with lidocaine and is contraindicated if you have this allergy.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, brain lesions, or other central nervous system disorders.
  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease — dose adjustments are needed for significant kidney impairment, and hemodialysis patients require special dosing.
  • Tell your doctor if you take valproic acid or divalproex sodium for seizure control — ertapenem can lower their levels dangerously.
  • If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Limited human data exist; animal studies did not show major birth defects at clinically relevant doses.
  • Ertapenem passes into breast milk in small amounts. Discuss breastfeeding with your doctor, weighing your need for the medication against any potential risk to the infant.
  • Ertapenem is approved for children as young as 3 months, but there is no dosing data for children with kidney disease or those on dialysis.
🚑If you take too much▾

Taking too much ertapenem may cause nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. If an overdose is suspected, ertapenem should be stopped and supportive care given while the kidneys clear the drug from the body.

Ertapenem can be partially removed by hemodialysis, though there is no established protocol specifically for treating overdose with dialysis. Seek medical attention immediately if an overdose is suspected.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

When ertapenem is given by IV infusion, it reaches high blood levels quickly. When given as an IM injection, it is almost completely absorbed — about 90% of the dose reaches the bloodstream — with peak levels occurring roughly 2.3 hours after injection. It binds strongly to proteins in the blood, primarily albumin, with the degree of binding decreasing as drug levels rise.

Ertapenem does not build up in the body with daily dosing. It is cleared primarily by the kidneys, so people with significant kidney impairment clear it more slowly and may need a reduced dose. The drug can be partially removed by hemodialysis.

📦How to store it▾

store lyophilized powder above 25°C (77°F). stored at room temperature (25°C) and used within 6 hours or stored for 24 hours under refrigeration (5°C) and used within 4 hours after removal from refrigeration.

📄 Written from Ertapenem Injection’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

50

Supplements & herbs that interact with Ertapenem Injection

50 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Ertapenem Injection in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 39
  • Minor · 10
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major BACILLUS COAGULANS Moderate Bacillus Subtilis Moderate BIFIDOBACTERIUM ANIMALIS SUBSP. LACTIS Moderate BIFIDOBACTERIUM BIFIDUM Moderate BIFIDOBACTERIUM BREVE Moderate BIFIDOBACTERIUM LONGUM Moderate BIOFEEDBACK Moderate +42 more
Every supplement checked against Ertapenem Injection — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 39 moderate · 10 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Ertapenem Injection against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

7

Nutrient depletion considerations

Ertapenem Injection has been associated with lower levels of 7 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 6
  • Moderate · 1
BIOTIN Insignificant Depletion FOLIC ACID Insignificant Depletion RIBOFLAVIN Insignificant Depletion THIAMINE Insignificant Depletion VITAMIN B12 Insignificant Depletion VITAMIN B6 Insignificant Depletion VITAMIN K Moderate Depletion
See the full Ertapenem Injection nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Ertapenem Injection — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What kinds of infections does ertapenem treat? ▾
Ertapenem is used for serious bacterial infections — things like severe abdominal infections, complicated skin infections (including diabetic foot infections without bone involvement), pneumonia you caught in the community, kidney and urinary tract infections, and serious pelvic infections after childbirth or surgery. In adults, it's also used as a one-time dose before colorectal surgery to prevent infection at the surgical site. It only works against bacterial infections — it won't help with viruses like the flu or COVID-19.
How will I receive this medication — is it a pill? ▾
No, ertapenem is not available as a pill. It's always given as an injection — either through an IV line into a vein or as a shot into a large muscle like the thigh or buttock. IV doses are infused slowly over 30 minutes. You'll typically receive it in a hospital, infusion center, or clinic setting, though some patients can receive IV or IM treatment at home through a home health service. Your healthcare team will prepare and administer each dose for you.
What side effects should I expect, and which ones should I call about? ▾
The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, headache, and some discomfort or redness at the injection or infusion site — these are usually mild. You should call your doctor right away if you develop severe or watery diarrhea, which could be a serious gut infection called C. diff (Clostridioides difficile). Seek emergency care immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction — swelling of the face or throat, hives, or trouble breathing — or if you experience a seizure or sudden confusion.
I take valproic acid for my epilepsy. Is ertapenem safe for me? ▾
This is a really important thing to flag with your doctor before starting ertapenem. Carbapenems like ertapenem can significantly lower the amount of valproic acid in your blood, and that drop can trigger a breakthrough seizure even if your epilepsy has been well controlled. In most cases, doctors will choose a different antibiotic for people on valproic acid or divalproex sodium. If ertapenem is truly necessary, your doctor will need to monitor you closely and may add extra seizure protection.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? ▾
There isn't a large amount of human data on ertapenem use in pregnancy, so the full picture of risk isn't clear. Animal studies at doses close to those used in people didn't show major birth defects. Small amounts of ertapenem do pass into breast milk, but the effect on a nursing baby is not fully known. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the seriousness of your infection against any potential risk and help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
Do I need a lower dose if I have kidney problems? ▾
Yes, kidney function matters a lot with ertapenem because your kidneys are responsible for clearing it from your body. If your kidneys aren't working well, the drug can build up to higher levels than intended. For adults with significant kidney impairment or those on hemodialysis, your doctor will prescribe a reduced daily dose. People on hemodialysis may also need a small supplemental dose depending on when dialysis falls relative to when ertapenem was given. Your prescriber will calculate the right amount based on your kidney function.
Is Ertapenem Injection available over the counter? ▾
Ertapenem Injection is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Ertapenem Injection first available? ▾
Ertapenem Injection has been available in the United States since at least 2001, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Ertapenem Injection? ▾
Ertapenem Injection is supplied by 20 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Eugia US LLC, Par Pharmaceutical Inc., Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Ertapenem Injection’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

📊Ertapenem Injection supplement interactions50 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerErtapenem Injection vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Ertapenem Injection NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Ertapenem Injection comes

Ertapenem Injection is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Injection

Into a muscle · Into a vein
Brands Invanz
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Invanz is used intravenously or intramuscularly to treat complicated abdominal, skin, urinary tract, lung, and pelvic infections in adults and children 3 months and older.
  • Invanz given intravenously is used in adults to prevent surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery.
  • Invanz intramuscular injection may be used as an alternative to IV treatment for appropriate infections.
  • Invanz is used only against infections proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
Important instructions
  • Invanz given by IV is infused over 30 minutes; IV treatment may continue for up to 14 days.
  • Invanz given by IM injection is administered deep into a large muscle and may be used for up to 7 days — the IM solution is prepared with lidocaine and must never be given intravenously.
  • Invanz must not be mixed or co-infused with other medications, and diluents containing dextrose must not be used.
  • Invanz dosing may need adjustment in adults with significant kidney impairment or those on hemodialysis — follow your prescriber's instructions closely.
Available strengths 2 strengths
1 g 1 g/20 mL
39 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

📊 Ertapenem Injection across the U.S. market

How Ertapenem Injection appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
20
Manufacturers
3
Brand names
39
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
2001
First marketed ⓘ
Eugia US LLC10%
Par Pharmaceutical Inc.8%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.8%
Hospira, Inc.8%
NorthStar RxLLC8%
AuroMedics Pharma LLC5%
Other makers54%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Ertapenem Injection is used

A general measure of how commonly Ertapenem Injection is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Ertapenem Injection is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

65,406
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$10.2M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Ertapenem Injection prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Ertapenem Injection ranks #580 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 64% of them.

Where Ertapenem Injection ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #580 of 1,596
#575 Glucagon Injection / S... 67,274 Rx #576 Isosorbide Dinitrate 67,209 Rx #577 Perphenazine 66,429 Rx #578 Selenium Sulfide 65,979 Rx #579 Pantoprazole Injection 65,430 Rx #580 Ertapenem Injection 65,406 Rx #581 Bismuth Subsalicylate 65,273 Rx #582 Leuprolide Injection 63,703 Rx #583 Leuprolide 63,703 Rx #584 Conjugated / Estrogens 63,597 Rx #585 Acyclovir Topical 63,555 Rx

Utilization by Ertapenem Injection product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

ertapenem 1000 MG Injection

65,406 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Ertapenem Injection prescriptions shown $10.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $156 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 17 of 36 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1734683

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Ertapenem Injection, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 17 of 36 listed Ertapenem Injection NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Ertapenem Injection products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Ertapenem Injection — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 39 of 39 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 39 Ertapenem Injection NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Ertapenem Injection RxCUI 325642 1 dose form · 1 strength
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Injection RxCUI 1734682 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1000 MG RxCUI 1734683

Look up RxCUI 325642 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Invanz

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Eugia US LLC 4 Par Pharmaceutical Inc. 3 Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 3 Hospira, Inc. 3 NorthStar RxLLC 3 AuroMedics Pharma LLC 2 BluePoint Laboratories 2 Apotex Corp 2 Savior Lifetec Corporation 2 ENDO USA, Inc. 2 Fosun Pharma USA Inc 2 Sagent Pharmaceuticals 2 Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC 2 WG Critical Care, LLC 1 Qilu Antibiotics Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 1 Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 1 Gland Pharma Limited 1 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 1 Dr.Reddys Laboratories Inc., 1 Dr.Reddy 1

RxNorm drug class

Ertapenem Injection belongs to the Penem Antibacterial class.

Pharmacologic class Penem Antibacterial
Drug family (ATC) Carbapenems

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Feb 4, 2026
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Ertapenem Injection.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Ertapenem Injection after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
17
NDC products indexed
39
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
20
Linked representative label ⓘ
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Linked label effective
Feb 4, 2026
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
33f3b99b-fa82-42e0-26bf-f49891ae3d22
Linked SPL Document ID
42e12d72-1d2d-4b7d-ac4f-4e97b344bcd1
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 17 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.