Doripenem (Doribax▼): updated dosing recommendations
Previous dosing regimens for doripenem in such patients found to be insufficient.
Article date: August 2012
Doripenem (Doribax▼) is a carbapenem antibacterial agent indicated for nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator–associated pneumonia), complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections.
A recent review of study data on nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator–associated pneumonia) indicates that the currently approved dose of doripenem is insufficient in patients with augmented renal function (particularly those with creatinine clearance (CrCl ≥ 150 mL/min) and/or infections with pathogens with possible decreased susceptibility and should be increased.
Advice for healthcare professionals:
- for patients with augmented renal function and/or infections with pathogens with possible decreased susceptibility, the recommended dose of doripenem to treat nosocomial pneumonia is now 1 g every 8 hours given as a 4-hour infusion
- treatment duration of 10–14 days is usually required for patients with such infections and is often closer to 14 days for patients infected with pathogens such as Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp
No changes to the recommended doripenem doses for treating nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator-associated pneumonia) due to susceptible pathogens in patients with non-augmented renal clearance, or for treating complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections, are required.
The new recommendations will be available in the updated product information. Information on the appropriate use of antibiotics and prevalence of resistance can be found in NICE guidance
Further information
BNF section 5.1: Antibacterial drugs
Article citation: Drug Safety Update August 2012, vol 6, issue 1: A3