Walters- Carbapenems

Question 1

what are carbapenems useful in treating?

Answer 1

gram positive and gram negative anaerobes (broadest spectrum of beta-lactams)

Question 2

when would you choose to use a carbapenem?

Answer 2

for resistant infections - little cross resistance, enter G - by a different route

Question 3

what is Imipenem always used with?

Answer 3

Cilastatin

Question 4

what does Cilastatin do?

Answer 4

inhibits a dehydropeptidase (not a beta-lactamase) in kidney tubules that normally metabolize Imipenem

Question 5

what are the side effects of Imipenem w/Cilastatin?

Answer 5

nausea and vomiting - increase risk of C.difficile infection compared to other cabapenems, seizures

Question 6

what carbapenem is not metabolized by dehydropeptise and has fewer seizures?

Answer 6

Meropenem

Question 7

what carbapenem is used one per day?

Answer 7

Ertapenem

Question 8

what carbapenem is used as an injection for complicated intra-abdominal infections and UTIs?

Answer 8

Doripenem

Question 9

what is the name of the deadly carbapenem-resistant gram - bacteria that mainly affects nursing homes?

Answer 9

Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP)

Question 10

what are the drug interactions for carbapenems?

Answer 10

decrease levels of valproic acid and increase the risk of seizures