Abstract
Ertapenem belongs to carbapenem antibiotics. Nevertheless it differs from other carbapenems registered in the Czech Republic (imipenem, meropenem, doripenem) in two important features. (a) low efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa a Acinetobacter spp.; thus ertapenem is predestined for treatment community-acquired infections rather than nosocomial infections; (b) relatively long half-time that enables once daily dosing.
Thus, ertapenem is a good choice for treatment of mixed community-acquired infections and/or for treatment of infections caused by E.coli, Klebsiella spp., or other bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL, AmpC). The long half-time make ertapenem very useful for out-patient therapy and home care.