Invanz (ertapenem) is an antibiotic medication used to manage bacterial infections of the urinary tract, skin, lungs and stomach, according to Drugs.com. It works to destroy the bacteria and prevent its infiltration throughout the body. According to the National Library of Medicine, Invanz is available as an injection or as an intravenous (through the vein) infusion. You will typically receive 1g of it once a day.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Invanz's common side effects include stomach pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Excessive vomiting can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and dehydration. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily to replenish the amount of fluids lost. Invanz can also cause a headache, sleepiness, vaginal discharge, or itching, swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. In a placebo-controlled study of 802 patients receiving 1g of Invanz daily, the National Library of Medicine says that 7.1 percent developed pain or swelling at the injection site, 4.0 percent experienced constipation, 10.3 percent had diarrhea, 8.5 percent developed nausea, 3.7 percent developed vomiting and 1.4 percent experienced vaginitis (vaginal inflammation). Tell your doctor when these side effects still continue after three days.
Serious Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Invanz increases the risk of convulsions. Convulsions are the result of jumbled electrical activity in the brain. When this electrical activity is left untreated, brain damage can result. In the worse case scenario, prolonged convulsions can lead to death. Invanz may also cause Clostridium difficile diarrhea. This is a type of antibiotic-induced diarrhea characterized by foul-smelling stool and nausea. Typically, discontinuing the medication and taking another medication like metronidazole can treat this type of diarrhea.
Invanz may cause such other serious effects as fever, chest pain, low or high blood pressure, anxiety, changes in mental status, and rales or rhonchi (abnormal lung sounds). Rales or rhonchi are typically indicative of a serious lung infection. Call your doctor immediately when you have these side effects.
Additional Concerns
Avoid Invanz if you are allergic to ertapenem, as life-threatening side effects such as trouble breathing and hives may develop. There is also a possibility of developing angioedema, a condition in which the face, tongue or throat swells.
Drugs.com indicates that you should not combine Invanz with imipenem, meropenem, and penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics. Invanz and these medications can lead to the aforementioned side effects.
Also, do not take Invanz if you suffer from liver disorders, kidney convulsive disorders, or have a history of a brain tumor or head trauma, says Drugs.com. Invanz can make these conditions worse.
Invanz can contaminate your breast milk. Tell your doctor if you'd like to breastfeed. It is unclear whether Invanz can harm a fetus during pregnancy. Tell your physician if you are pregnant.
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