Skip to main content
Print Save

Doripenem

Generic name: doripenem [ dor-i-PEN-em ]
Brand name: Doribax
Drug class: Carbapenems

What is doripenem?

Doripenem is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.

Doripenem is used to treat severe infections of the stomach, bladder, or kidneys.

Doripenem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

You should not receive doripenem if you are allergic to doripenem, ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem).

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to doripenem, ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem).

To make sure doripenem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

Doripenem is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether doripenem passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is doripenem given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use doripenem in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Doripenem is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Doripenem is usually given for 5 days to 2 weeks, depending on the condition being treated. You may be switched to an oral (pill form) antibiotic after the first few days of receiving doripenem by injection.

Doripenem is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent). You will need to place the doripenem and diluent mixture in an IV bag of infusion solution before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Doripenem will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

After mixing the doripenem and diluent mixture with an IV infusion solution, you may store it at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.

At room temperature: You may store the mixture for up to 4 hours if your infusion solution is 5% dextrose, or up to 12 hours if your infusion solution is normal saline.

In a refrigerator: You may store the mixture for up to 24 hours if your infusion solution is 5% dextrose, or up to 72 hours if your infusion solution is normal saline.

Doripenem does not contain a preservative. Throw away any doripenem mixture not used within the correct number of hours based on your infusion solution and storage method.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of doripenem.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving doripenem?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using doripenem and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Doripenem side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain;

  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or

  • severe itching or skin rash.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache;

  • diarrhea, nausea;

  • vaginal itching or discharge;

  • mild rash; or

  • pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Doripenem side effects (more detail)

Doripenem dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:

500 mg via IV infusion every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 5 to 14 days

Comments:
-Therapy duration includes possible conversion to oral therapy, after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.

Use: As a single agent for the treatment of complicated intraabdominal infections due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides caccae, B fragilis, B thetaiotaomicron, B uniformis, B vulgatus, Streptococcus intermedius, S constellatus, and Peptostreptococcus micros

Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis:

500 mg via IV infusion every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 10 days

Comments:
-Therapy duration includes possible conversion to oral therapy, after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.
-Therapy duration can be extended up to 14 days for concurrent bacteremia.

Uses: As a single agent for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis due to E coli including cases with concurrent bacteremia, K pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, P aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

500 mg via IV infusion every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 10 days

Comments:
-Therapy duration includes possible conversion to oral therapy, after at least 3 days of parenteral therapy and once clinical improvement occurs.
-Therapy duration can be extended up to 14 days for concurrent bacteremia.

Uses: As a single agent for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis due to E coli including cases with concurrent bacteremia, K pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, P aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii

Detailed Doripenem dosage information

What other drugs will affect doripenem?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with doripenem, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Doripenem drug interactions (more detail)

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.07.