ertapenem vs meropenem
Side-by-side comparison of ertapenem and meropenem Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Ertapenem is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacteria in your body.
Meropenem is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacteria in your body to treat different kinds of infections.
Ertapenem treats moderate to severe infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat infections in the stomach, skin (including diabetic foot infections without bone infection), lungs (community-acquired pneumonia), and urinary tract. It also treats pelvic infections. Ertapenem can also prevent infection after colorectal surgery.
Meropenem treats complicated skin infections in adults and kids 3 months and older. It also treats complicated infections in the stomach area for adults and kids. In children 3 months and older, it can treat bacterial meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord).
Ertapenem belongs to a class of drugs called carbapenem antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
Meropenem belongs to a class of drugs called carbapenem antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Problems where the IV was placed
- • Headache
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Anemia
- Drug Ineffective 995
- Macular Degeneration 768
- Off Label Use 394
- Pyrexia 358
- Nausea 293
- Drug Ineffective 4,220
- Off Label Use 3,119
- Pyrexia 2,090
- Pneumonia 1,435
- Sepsis 1,364
Ertapenem can cause serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins or cephalosporins. Seizures have happened during treatment with ertapenem, especially in people with brain problems or kidney issues. Ertapenem can also cause severe diarrhea due to Clostridioides difficile.
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to meropenem or similar antibiotics. This drug may cause serious allergic reactions, including trouble breathing. Meropenem can also cause seizures, especially if you have kidney problems or a history of seizures. Diarrhea can occur, and could be a sign of a serious infection in your colon.
There is not enough information about ertapenem use during pregnancy to know if it is safe. Ertapenem does pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using ertapenem if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is not known if meropenem will harm your unborn baby. Meropenem can pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Read This ertapenem vs meropenem Comparison
ertapenem is classified in the Carbapenem Antibiotic drug class, while meropenem sits within the Carbapenem Antibiotic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, ertapenem has 2,808 submissions while meropenem has 12,228. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between ertapenem and meropenem — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.