Carbapenem
Carbapenem
Carbapenem (pronunciation: /ˌkɑːrbəˈpiːnəm/) is a class of antibiotics that are highly effective against many types of bacteria.
Etymology
The term "Carbapenem" is derived from the compound's structure, which includes a carbon atom (carba-) and a penem ring (-penem), a type of beta-lactam ring.
Description
Carbapenems are a subset of beta-lactam antibiotics, which also include penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams. They are typically reserved for severe or high-risk bacterial infections, as they have a broad spectrum of activity and are effective against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
Carbapenems work by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in bacteria, leading to cell death. They are resistant to most beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria to resist beta-lactam antibiotics.
Types of Carbapenems
There are several types of carbapenems, including:
Each of these has slightly different spectrums of activity and are used in different clinical situations.
Related Terms
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Beta-lactamase
- Cell wall
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Gram-negative bacteria
- Antibiotics
- Imipenem
- Meropenem
- Ertapenem
- Doripenem
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carbapenem
- Wikipedia's article - Carbapenem
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