MedeliX
Start asking

ertapenem

Invanz · ATC code J01DH03

Brand names: Invanz, Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Panpharma, Ertapenem Steriscience, Ekiperta

Key facts
Active substance
ertapenem
Drug class
Carbapenem antibiotic
ATC code
J01DH03
Authorisation
centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
Dosage forms
INVANZ 1 g powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Marketing authorisation holder
Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
Information as of
2026-10-27

Key facts

Ertapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic given intravenously to treat certain bacterial infections in children from 3 months and adults, and to prevent surgical site infection after colorectal surgery.

What it is used for

  • Intra-abdominal infections
  • Community acquired pneumonia
  • Acute gynaecological infections
  • Diabetic foot infections of the skin and soft tissue
  • Adults: prophylaxis of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery

Dosing

  • Adults and adolescents (13 to 17 years): 1 g once a day intravenously
  • Children (3 months to 12 years): 15 mg/kg twice daily, not to exceed 1 g/day
  • Prophylaxis (adults): single 1 g IV dose completed within 1 hour before incision
  • Infused over 30 minutes; usual duration 3 to 14 days
  • Creatinine clearance of 30 mL/min/1.73 m² or more: no adjustment; not to be used in severe renal impairment or haemodialysis

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient
  • Hypersensitivity to any other carbapenem
  • Severe hypersensitivity to any other beta-lactam (e.g. penicillins, cephalosporins)

Important warnings

  • Serious, occasionally fatal anaphylactic reactions; ask about previous allergies and stop immediately if a reaction occurs
  • Antibiotic-associated and pseudomembranous colitis can occur
  • Seizures, mostly in the elderly, with CNS disorders or reduced renal function; encephalopathy reported
  • Superinfection with prolonged use

Side effects

  • Adults, most common: diarrhoea (4.8%), infused vein complication (4.5%), nausea (2.8%)
  • Laboratory: elevated ALT and AST (4.6% each), alkaline phosphatase (3.8%) and platelet count (3.0%)

Interactions

  • Valproic acid: levels may fall below the therapeutic range (risk of inadequate seizure control); concomitant use not recommended

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Should not be used in pregnancy unless the potential benefit outweighs the possible risk to the foetus
  • Ertapenem is excreted in human milk; mothers should not breast-feed during treatment

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

Common questions – ask Medelix

For patients

Package leaflet, verbatim

Package leaflet for patients →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

EU – centrally authorised (all member states)

  • Ertapenem SUN · genericSUN Pharmaceutical Industries (Europe) B.V. · EMEA/H/C/005815
  • InvanzMerck Sharp & Dohme B.V. · EMEA/H/C/000389

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information

Austria

  • Ertapenem AptapharmaApta Medica Internacional D.O.O. · 1 register entry
  • Ertapenem Fresenius KabiFresenius Kabi Austria Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Ertapenem PanpharmaPanmedica · 1 register entry
  • Ertapenem SteriscienceSteriscience B.V. · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Germany

  • Ertapenem SteriscienceSteriscience B.V. · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

  • EkipertaTÜM-EKİP İLAÇ A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • InvanzMERCK SHARP DOHME İLAÇLARI LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 25 more European countries
Bulgaria
Ертапенем Аптафарма
Croatia
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Cyprus
Ertapenem Aptapharma
Czechia
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Ash, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Denmark
Ertapenem "aptapharma", Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Steriscience
Estonia
Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Qilu
Finland
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Steriscience
France
Ertapenem Acs Dobfar, Ertapenem Arrow, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Hikma, Ertapenem Panpharma, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Steriscience
Greece
Ertapenem Anfarm
Hungary
Ertapenem Anfarm, Ertapenem Aptapharma
Iceland
Invanz
Italy
Ertapenem Acs Dobfar, Ertapenem Aurobindo, Ertapenem Hikma, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Steriscience
Latvia
Ertapenem Qilu
Liechtenstein
Invanz
Lithuania
Ertapenem Qilu
Malta
Ertapenem Aptapharma
Netherlands
Ertapenem Added Pharma, Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Norway
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Sun, Invanz
Poland
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Eugia, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Portugal
Ertapenem
Romania
Ertapenem Acs Dobfar, Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Atb, Ertapenem Aurobindo, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Slovakia
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Ash, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Slovenia
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi
Spain
Ertapenem
Sweden
Ertapenem Aptapharma, Ertapenem Fresenius Kabi, Ertapenem Qilu, Ertapenem Steriscience

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Related calculators

Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

  1. European Medicines Agency. Invanz – EPAR, Product Information (OF THE TEXT Detailed information on this medicinal product i). 2026-10-27. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/invanz-epar-product-information_en.pdf
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. Wikidata (CC0): ATC J01DH.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.