Carbapenems

Carbapenems (pronunciation: /ˌkɑːrbəˈpiːnəmz/) are a class of highly effective antibiotic drugs primarily used for the treatment of severe or high-risk bacterial infections.

Etymology

The term "Carbapenem" is derived from the core chemical structure of the drug, which is a β-lactam. The name is a combination of "carba-" (indicating the presence of a carbon atom) and "-penem" (indicating its relation to the penem class of β-lactam antibiotics).

Pharmacology

Carbapenems work by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall, leading to cell death. They are broad-spectrum antibiotics, meaning they are effective against a wide range of bacteria. Carbapenems are often used as a last resort when other antibiotics are ineffective due to antibiotic resistance.

Types of Carbapenems

There are several types of carbapenems, including:

• Imipenem
• Meropenem
• Ertapenem
• Doripenem

Each of these drugs has a slightly different spectrum of activity and side effect profile.

Side Effects

Common side effects of carbapenems include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash. More serious side effects can include seizures, especially in patients with a history of seizure disorder.

Resistance

Resistance to carbapenems is a growing concern in the medical community. This resistance often occurs due to the production of enzymes known as carbapenemases by certain bacteria, which can break down the antibiotic and render it ineffective.

See Also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Beta-lactam antibiotic
• Cell wall synthesis inhibitors

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Carbapenems
• Wikipedia's article - Carbapenems

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