INVANZ (ertapenem for injection)

Merck & Co Inc (Whitehouse Station, NJ) recently received FDA approval for a new indication for INVANZ, a once-daily injectable antibiotic, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe complicated foot infection due to indicated pathogens in patients with diabetes without osteomyelitis. The product is also indicated for the treatment of moderate- to-severe complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus species, Porphyromonas asaccharolytica, or Prevotella bivia. The recommended dosage regimen for INVANZ in patients 13 years of age and older is 1 g given once a day. The dosage regimen for INVANZ in patients 3 months to 12 years of age is 15 mg/kg twice daily (not to exceed 1 g/day). The product may be administered by intravenous infusion for up to 14 days or intramuscular injection for up to 7 days. For more information, visit www.merck.com.