Development status: Approved, off-patent

Gram-positive activity

Gram-negative activity

Mechanism of Action/Target pathogen: Binds to bacterial penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) and interferes with bacterial cell wall integrity and synthesis. Carbapenems bind to all PBPs, with PBP2 and PBP4 as the highest-affinity targets. Carbapenems have a very broad spectrum incl. non-fermenters and are not hydrolysed by most beta-lactamases with exception of carbapenemases

Additional information: Semisynthetic, derived from thienamycin, combined with cilastatin to prevent degradation of imipenem by the renal enzyme dehydropeptidase 1. Combination of imipenem/cilastatin and relebactam