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. Similar to imipenem but more stable against human renal dehydropeptidase-I. Available in Japan, Thailand, China and India