Doripenem

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Doripenem is an antibiotic in the carbapenem class. It belongs to beta-lactam antibiotics and works by stopping bacteria from making their cell walls, which kills them. It has a broad spectrum and is particularly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is not effective against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Uses
- Doripenem is used to treat complicated abdominal infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and complicated urinary tract infections, including those with kidney involvement and sepsis.

How it’s given
- It is given by intravenous infusion, usually over about 4 hours, which helps when treating difficult infections.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism
- Doripenem is mainly cleared by the kidneys. In healthy adults, its half-life is about 1 hour.
- It is metabolized by the enzyme dehydropeptidase-I to an inactive form.
- Its distribution is primarily in the extracellular fluid.

Resistance and spectrum
- Bacteria can become resistant through changes in penicillin-binding proteins, decreased drug entry, or by producing certain enzymes. Beta-lactamases that hydrolyze many beta-lactams are less effective against carbapenems, but some enzymes can still inactivate doripenem.

Safety and regulatory status
- Doripenem may have a lower risk of seizures compared with some other carbapenems, but as with all beta-lactams, allergies are possible.
- Doripenem has also been marketed under the names Doribax (US) and Finibax (Japan). It was approved by the FDA in 2007 but has since been discontinued in the United States.