Ertapenem

Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Before using ertapenem, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other carbapenems (such as imipenem); or to penicillins or cephalosporins; or if you have any other allergies. Before getting ertapenem by injection into a muscle, also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any amide-type local anesthetics (such as lidocaine). This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as seizures, head injury, tumor), kidney disease, stomach/intestinal diseases (such as colitis).

Ertapenem may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using ertapenem before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: valproic acid and related drugs (such as divalproex sodium, sodium valproate).

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, kidney function) may be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using ertapenem and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by injection into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. If you are using this medication to prevent an infection, it is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. It is given as directed by your doctor, usually 1 hour before your surgery.

If this medication is given by injection into a muscle, follow the manufacturer's directions for mixing with lidocaine 1 percent solution. Do not use this solution for injection into a vein.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on age and weight.

For the best effect, use this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, use this medication at the same time(s) every day.

Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed treatment period is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.