BRIEF—Fresenius Kabi's Ertapenem for Injection available in USA

Fresenius Kabi yesterday announced the availability in the USA of Ertapenem for Injection in a 1 gram vial presentation.

The new product is the generic equivalent to Merck & Co’s Invanz.

Ertapenem for Injection is indicated in adult patients and pediatric patients (three months of age and older) for the treatment of moderate to severe infections including complicated intra-abdominal infections, complicated skin and skin structure infections, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), and acute pelvic infections.

It may also be used in the prevention of surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery in adults.

Ertapenem for Injection is contraindicated in people with a known hypersensitivity to product components or anaphylactic reactions to β-lactams.

Due to the use of lidocaine HCl as a diluent, Ertapenem for Injection administered intramuscularly is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type.