Two medicines, side by side
Ertapenem vs cefepime
Ertapenem and cefepime are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ertapenem since 2001 and of cefepime since 1996. In FDA's classes, ertapenem is a penem antibacterial and cefepime a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ertapenem FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the cefepime FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 15, 2021).
Highlights of the ertapenem record
Ertapenem (Invanz) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsINVANZ is a penem antibacterial indicated in adult patients and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) for the treatment of the following moderate to severe infections caused by susceptible bacteria: Complicated intra-abdominal infections. ( 1.1 ) Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis. ( 1.2 ) Community-acquired pneumonia. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 21, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $26.63 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the cefepime record
Cefepime (Maxipime) · label of November 15, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefepime for Injection is a cephalosporin antibacterial indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: •Pneumonia. ( 1.1 ) •Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients. ( 1.2 ) •Uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis). ( 1.3 ) •Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ertapenem label of February 4, 2026, Cefepime label of November 15, 2021); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ertapenem and cefepime differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ertapenem is a penem antibacterial and cefepime a cephalosporin antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Ertapenem, “Ertapenem sodium is a carbapenem antibiotic [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4) ].”; Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Generics: ertapenem since 2018; cefepime since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ertapenem | Cefepime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penem Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Ertapenem sodium is a carbapenem antibiotic [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4) ]. | Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean plasma half-life in healthy young adults is approximately 4 hours and the plasma clearance is approximately 1.8 L/hour. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 21, 2001 | January 18, 1996 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2018 | June 18, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 15 labelers | 8 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $26.63 per vial (Ertapenem 1 gram vial) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | -19% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,339 | 16,018 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to ertapenem
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions