Summary
points:
- Carbapenems are used as the last-line antibiotics for treating severe
and resistant bacterial infections.
- Carbapenems must be administered parenterally
- Oral penem, faropenem, is available in Japan and India for the
treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory tract
infections, skin and skin structure infections and gynaecological
infections
- Faropenem demonstrates high oral bioavailability (around 70%–80% in
its ester prodrug form).
- Faropenem is resistant to hydrolysis by nearly all β-lactamases,
including ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases.
- Faropenem is effective in the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis.
- Faropenem is a solution to combat the emergence of resistance among
respiratory tract pathogens. It is an alternative to fluoroquinolones
or macrolides/ketolides when there is a concern with resistant
pathogens.