The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
FROM
ISSUE
1320
Addendum: Why Not Ertapenem for Surgical Prophylaxis?
Download PDF:   US English
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Sep 7;51(1320):72
Disclosures
Objective(s)
 Select a term to see related articles  2009   addendum   carbapenem   cefepime   Cefizox   Cefobid   Cefoperazone   Cefotaxime   Ceftazidime   Ceftizoxime   ceftriaxone   cephalosporins   Claforan   Colorectal surgery   Ertapenem   Fortaz   Invanz   Issue 1320   Maxipime   Page 72   Rocephin   September 7   Surgical prophylaxis   Volume 51 

Why Not Ertapenem for Surgical Prophylaxis?

Some readers have asked why the June 2009 issue of Treatment Guidelines (Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Surgery) did not recommend use of ertapenem (Invanz) for prevention of infection after elective colorectal surgery. Ertapenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem that has been approved for such use by the FDA. Medical Letter consultants do not recommend use of broad-spectrum drugs such as ertapenem, third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime (Claforan), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefoperazone (Cefobid), ceftazidime (Fortaz, and others) or ceftizoxime (Cefizox), or fourth-generation cephalosporins such as cefepime (Maxipime) for routine surgical prophylaxis because they are expensive, some are less active than first- or second-generation cephalosporins against staphylococci, and their spectrum of activity includes organisms rarely encountered in elective surgery. These drugs should be reserved for treatment of serious infections, particularly those likely to be caused by organisms resistant to other antimicrobials.

© The Medical Letter, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Medical Letter, Inc. does not warrant that all the material in this publication is accurate and complete in every respect. The Medical Letter, Inc. and its editors shall not be held responsible for any damage resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission.
This article has been freely provided.
arrow to previous article
arrow to next article