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Published on: April 18, 2019

Doripenem: A new carbapenem antibiotic a review of comparative antimicrobial and bactericidal activities

Fiona Walsh1

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland.

Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Doripenem is a novel carbapenem antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity and improved stability. It demonstrates potent efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with reduced resistance development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Doripenem is a new 1-beta-methyl carbapenem antibiotic administered parenterally.
  • Unlike imipenem, doripenem does not require cilastatin due to inherent stability conferred by the 1-beta-methyl group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro activity and pharmacological properties of doripenem.
  • To compare doripenem's efficacy and resistance profile against other carbapenems.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro susceptibility testing against various bacterial strains.
  • Assessment of resistance development frequency and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).
  • Pharmacokinetic analysis including plasma concentration and half-life determination.

Main Results:

  • Doripenem exhibits combined in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria (similar to imipenem/ertapenem) and Gram-negative bacteria (similar to meropenem).
  • It shows excellent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Carbapenem-resistant mutants were selected less frequently and at lower MICs with doripenem compared to imipenem or meropenem.
  • High plasma concentrations and a longer half-life were observed for doripenem compared to imipenem and meropenem.

Conclusions:

  • Doripenem possesses excellent in vitro antibacterial activity and favorable pharmacological properties.
  • Its unique characteristics suggest potential advantages over existing carbapenems.
  • Further clinical studies are needed to determine optimal therapeutic utilization.
Keywords:
MBCMICmutantpharmacodynamicspharmacokinetics

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