Doripenem
Pronunciation: dor-i-PEN-em.
- Generic name
- doripenem
- Drug class
- Carbapenem antibiotic
- Form
- Powder for solution for intravenous infusion
- Route
- Intravenous infusion
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine; discontinued in the United States. Availability and legal classification outside the U.S. are unresolved in these notes.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What doripenem is and how it works
Doripenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that was previously used for serious bacterial infections. The product has been discontinued in the United States and is no longer available there. Information on current brands and availability in other countries is unresolved. (1) (2)
Where it remains available, doripenem is an intravenous hospital medicine prescribed by a specialist. These notes cannot confirm present-day non-U.S. brands, indications, or patient suitability; a local prescriber must use current local product information.
Mechanism of action: how doripenem works
Doripenem is a synthetic carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Additional pharmacological details are unresolved in these notes. (1) (2)
What doripenem is used for
Historical U.S. uses
In the United States, doripenem was previously indicated for serious bacterial infections of the urinary tract, kidney, and abdomen. It was not FDA-approved for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Current non-U.S. indications are unresolved. (1)
Before taking doripenem
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not receive doripenem if you have a known severe hypersensitivity to doripenem, other carbapenems, or any beta-lactam antibiotic, unless the responsible clinician determines otherwise under current local product information. (all products) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any serious allergic reaction to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
- A history of seizures, brain or nervous system conditions, or kidney disease, because seizure risk may be increased.
- Any current diarrhoea, especially if watery or bloody, or a recent Clostridioides difficile infection.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- All current prescription and non-prescription medicines, particularly valproic acid or probenecid.
How to take doripenem
- Doripenem is an intravenous medicine. Historically it was given every eight hours in a hospital or, after provider training, at home. Do not infer a current dose or schedule from historical information.
- Treatment must be prescribed and supervised by a clinician using current local product information. Where the product is still available, the exact regimen, setting, and monitoring plan are determined by the treating specialist.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)
Missed dose
If a scheduled intravenous dose is missed, contact the prescribing service for instructions. Do not give an extra dose or alter the timing of the next infusion without explicit clinician advice.
Overdose
If more than the prescribed amount may have been infused, contact the prescribing clinician or a poison-information service urgently. Seek emergency care immediately for any seizure, severe allergic reaction, or breathing difficulty. (1)
Side effects
Side-effect data are derived from historical U.S. sources. Current non-U.S. product information may differ. All new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the treating clinician.
Injection-site reaction
What to notice: Pain, redness, swelling, or irritation where the infusion was given.
What to do: Tell the treatment team if the reaction is severe, worsening, or accompanied by generalised symptoms. (1)
Headache or nausea
What to notice: Mild to moderate headache or feeling sick during or after treatment.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the prescribing team rather than stopping treatment yourself. (1)
Severe skin or allergic reactions
What to notice: Widespread rash, hives, blisters, peeling skin, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.
What to do: Seek medical attention promptly and let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop treatment. (1)
Watery or bloody diarrhoea
What to notice: New or worsening diarrhoea that is watery, contains blood, or is accompanied by stomach cramps or fever, developing during or weeks after treatment.
What to do: Contact the prescribing team promptly. Do not self-treat with anti-diarrhoea medicines unless specifically advised by a clinician. (1)
Serious warnings
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — emergency
Symptoms: Wheezing or breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, trouble swallowing, widespread hives, faintness, or a feeling of impending danger.
Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately. Allergic reactions can develop rapidly with intravenous beta-lactam antibiotics. (1)
Seizures — emergency
Symptoms: Convulsions, confusion, loss of consciousness, or unusual muscle movements.
Action: Obtain emergency medical help immediately. The risk may be higher in people with a history of seizures, brain conditions, or kidney disease. (1) (2)
Severe skin reaction — emergency
Symptoms: Rapidly spreading rash, blisters, peeling skin, or sores in the mouth or around the eyes.
Action: Seek emergency medical assessment at once. Let the treating clinician determine whether the infusion should be continued or stopped. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Valproic acid (and related medicines for seizures or mood disorders) | Carbapenems, including doripenem, may lower valproic acid blood concentrations, potentially reducing seizure control. | Give the prescriber a complete medicine list before starting doripenem. Valproic acid concentrations and clinical status may need close monitoring. (1) (2) |
| Probenecid | Probenecid can raise doripenem blood concentrations by reducing kidney clearance. | Co-administration was not recommended under the historical U.S. label. Follow current local product guidance. (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
People with kidney impairment
Historical U.S. prescribing information required dose adjustment in moderate or severe renal impairment. Renal function must be assessed and the dose determined by a clinician using current local product information. (2)
People with a seizure history
Seizure risk may be increased, particularly in people with a known seizure disorder, brain condition, or reduced kidney function. Tell the prescriber about any seizure history before treatment. (1) (2)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Historical U.S. data were considered inadequate for human pregnancy. Current benefit–risk assessment and local product information must guide use. Do not start or stop treatment based on this note alone. (2)
Children and adolescents
Safety and effectiveness were not established in paediatric patients under the historical U.S. label. Current paediatric use is unresolved. (2)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm the infection diagnosis, bacterial susceptibility, and local treatment guidelines.
- Review allergy history, particularly beta-lactam hypersensitivity, and seizure history.
- Assess renal function; dose adjustment may be required.
- Review all concurrent medicines, especially valproic acid and probenecid.
During treatment
- Monitor for signs of acute allergic reaction, seizure, severe skin changes, or new/worsening diarrhoea.
- Reassess renal function and adjust dosing as directed by current local product information.
- Monitor valproic acid concentrations and clinical effect where co-prescribed.
Storage
Doripenem is a hospital-supplied intravenous product. Storage and handling must follow the manufacturer's current instructions for the specific brand and formulation; these notes cannot provide brand-specific details.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This product is discontinued in the United States. All non-U.S. brands, indications, and dosing are unresolved. Use only current local product information and treatment guidelines.
All regions
Indication: Any doripenem use
Dose summary: No universal dose is displayed. Historically, the U.S. product was given as a 500 mg intravenous infusion every eight hours, with adjustment for renal impairment. Current non-U.S. dose, interval, and infusion duration must be taken from the current local label.
Renal context: Dose reduction is required in moderate to severe renal impairment. The exact creatinine-clearance thresholds and adjusted doses are product-specific and must be obtained from the current local prescribing information. (2)
Hepatic guidance
No hepatic dosing adjustment was highlighted in the historical U.S. label. Use current local product information.
Overdose note
Overdose may increase the risk of seizures and other neurological effects. Management requires supportive care, seizure precautions, and specialist or poison-centre advice. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
Is doripenem still available?
Doripenem has been discontinued in the United States and is no longer available there. Availability in other countries is unresolved; check with a local pharmacy or prescriber. (1)
Can doripenem cause seizures?
Seizures have been reported, and the risk may be higher in people with a history of seizures, brain conditions, or reduced kidney function. Alert the treating clinician to any seizure history before treatment, and seek emergency help if a seizure occurs. (1) (2)
Can I take doripenem if I am allergic to penicillin?
Cross-reactivity between penicillins and carbapenems can occur. Tell the prescriber about any penicillin, cephalosporin, or other beta-lactam allergy so that an individual risk assessment can be made. (1)
References
- Doripenem Injection: MedlinePlus Drug InformationMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · dated 2026-06-15 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
- Doribax (doripenem) for injection — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · dated 2014 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 2
- doripenem — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 119771)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient doripenem names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.