Doripenem, a parenteral, broad-spectrum
antibacterial agent of the
carbapenem family, is indicated as empirical
therapy in serious
bacterial infections in adults.
Doripenem is indicated in Japan for use as a single agent in
intra-abdominal infections (IAIs), lower
respiratory tract infections (including
nosocomial pneumonia), complicated
urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and a variety of other
bacterial infections, such as complicated skin and skin structure
infections (cSSSIs), obstetric and gynaecological
infections, serious ear, nose and throat
infections,
sepsis and
endocarditis, dental and oral surgical
infection, and ophthalmic
infection caused by various susceptible strains of Gram-negative, Gram-positive or anaerobic bacteria.
Doripenem is indicated in the US for the treatment of complicated IAIs (cIAIs) or cUTIs, including
pyelonephritis, caused by susceptible strains of designated pathogens, and in the EU for the treatment of
nosocomial pneumonia (including
ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP]), cIAIs or cUTIs.Doripenem has a broad spectrum of in vitro activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including extended-spectrum
beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and anaerobic pathogens. The
drug also has a low propensity to select for resistance and is suitable for the prolonged infusions that may be required to achieve pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic targets for bactericidal activity (and therefore efficacy) against pathogens with increased MICs (minimum concentrations required to inhibit the pathogens).
Doripenem is no less effective than other
antibacterial agents, including
meropenem,
imipenem/cilastin,
piperacillin/tazobactam or
levofloxacin in a wide range of serious
bacterial infections, such as complicated lower
respiratory infections,
nosocomial pneumonia (including VAP), cIAIs and cUTIs, and is well tolerated. Thus,
doripenem is a valuable addition to the options available for the empirical treatment of serious
bacterial infections in hospitalized patients.