Ertapenem — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Ertapenem prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.
What is the out-of-pocket cost for Ertapenem without insurance coverage?
Uninsured patients typically pay around $129.91 for an ertapenem infusion at full price. The actual cost may vary depending on the hospital or clinic administering the medication.
How much will I pay for Ertapenem if I have insurance?
Your out-of-pocket expense for ertapenem depends on your specific insurance plan and your copay structure. It's worth noting that ertapenem may be covered under your health insurance as a medical benefit rather than through your prescription drug plan, which can affect your cost. Contact your healthcare facility to understand your coverage details and potential copay amounts.
Is Ertapenem covered by Medicare, and what would the cost be?
Medicare coverage of ertapenem varies—it may be covered under a prescription drug plan or as a medical benefit through Medicare Part B. To clarify your specific coverage and associated costs, reach out to your Medicare representative or prescription drug plan administrator. Your healthcare provider can also help explain how your Medicare coverage applies to ertapenem infusions.
What brand name is ertapenem sold under?
Ertapenem is the generic form of the brand-name medication Invanz, which is manufactured by Merck.
Ertapenem prices at US pharmacies
(Ertapenem Sodium) — solution reconstituted, 1gm, qty 1
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| Publix Lowest | $32.14 | $29.14 |
| CVS Pharmacy | $34.71 | $31.71 |
| Walgreens | $48.78 | $45.78 |
| Kroger Pharmacy | $51.15 | $48.15 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $51.15 | $48.15 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $56.04 | $53.04 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $56.04 | $53.04 |
Ertapenem prices at Canadian pharmacies
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $63.93 | $1917.99 |
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $67.99 | $679.91 |
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $68.26 | $2047.77 |
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $72.48 | $724.77 |
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $77.34 | $2320.14 |
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $78.08 | $2342.28 |
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $80.09 | $800.89 |
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $81.93 | $819.32 |
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $77.34 | $2320.14 |
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $78.08 | $2342.28 |
| Default | SPFPharmacy.com | $80.09 | $800.89 |
| Default | InhalersOnline.com | $81.93 | $819.32 |
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Ertapenem used for?
Ertapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic — one of the broadest-spectrum antibiotic classes available — used for moderate to severe infections including complicated intra-abdominal infections, complicated skin infections, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections, and certain pelvic infections. Compared with other carbapenems like meropenem or imipenem, ertapenem has one practical advantage: a long half-life that allows once-daily dosing, which makes it a common choice for outpatient IV antibiotic therapy when a patient needs to complete a course of carbapenem-level treatment outside the hospital.
Ertapenem's spectrum has one important gap worth knowing: unlike meropenem and imipenem, it has little to no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter, two difficult gram-negative organisms often seen in hospital-acquired infections. That makes ertapenem a poor choice when those specific bacteria are suspected, even though it covers a broad range of other bacteria well.
A specific drug interaction is worth flagging: ertapenem (like other carbapenems) can significantly lower blood levels of valproic acid or divalproex, medications used for seizures and mood disorders, and this combination is generally avoided because it can lead to breakthrough seizures. The WHO AWaRe framework classifies ertapenem as a Watch antibiotic, reflecting its broad spectrum and the importance of reserving carbapenems for infections that need that level of coverage.
How Ertapenem works
Attacks the bacterial cell wall
Like other beta-lactams, ertapenem blocks the enzymes bacteria need to build and maintain their cell wall.
Reaches a very broad range of bacteria
Its carbapenem structure lets it penetrate many bacteria that are resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins — though notably not Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter.
The bacterial cell dies
Without an intact wall, the bacterium ruptures and dies.
Typical dosage forms & strengths
| Use | Typical adult dose | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate to severe infections (adults) | 1 g IV or IM once daily, infused over about 30 minutes | Injection / IV infusion |
| Surgical infection prevention (colorectal surgery) | Single 1 g IV dose before surgery | IV infusion |
General reference dosing from the FDA label — not personalized advice. Your prescribed dose may differ based on your infection, kidney function, age, and weight. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.
Related & alternative drugs
Commonly used for
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Injection-site pain, irritation, or swelling
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache
Serious — seek care promptly
- Seizures (risk increases when combined with valproic acid/divalproex)
- Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, facial/throat swelling, trouble breathing
- Severe or watery diarrhea (possible C. diff colitis)
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ertapenem for injection is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this product or to other drugs in the same class or in patients who have demonstrated anaphylactic reactions to beta-lactams. Due to the use of lidocaine HCl as a diluent, ertapenem for injection administered intramuscularly is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type.
Notable drug interactions
| Drug / substance | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Valproic acid / divalproex sodium | Ertapenem can significantly lower valproate blood levels, risking breakthrough seizures — this combination is generally avoided. |
| Probenecid | Slows renal clearance of ertapenem, raising blood levels; not recommended together. |
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from a small number of post-marketing cases with ertapenem for injection use in pregnancy are insufficient to inform any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
Ertapenem, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ertapenem cost without insurance?
Is there a generic version of Ertapenem?
What drug class is Ertapenem in?
Learn more about Ertapenem
In-depth answers to common Ertapenem questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.
What exactly is ertapenem and how does it work?
Ertapenem is a prescription antibiotic administered intravenously to treat various bacterial infections, including pneumonia, abdominal infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and pelvic infections. It is also used preventively after surgery to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Like penicillin, ertapenem works by disrupting bacterial cell wall formation. Specifically, it binds to proteins essential for cell wall integrity, causing the structure to deteriorate and develop ruptures through which bacterial cell contents leak out, ultimately destroying the organism. Treatment typically involves a single intravenous infusion lasting approximately 30 minutes, with therapeutic effects persisting for 7 to 14 days.
What side effects are associated with ertapenem?
Common side effects related to the infusion itself include temporary localized reactions such as pain, irritation, redness, soreness, and swelling at the injection site. Systemic side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, indigestion, vaginal discharge, and vaginal itching. Ertapenem can occasionally affect mood and behavior. While rare, seizures represent a serious potential side effect. Allergic reactions to ertapenem are uncommon but can be severe, potentially including anaphylaxis—a life-threatening response involving sudden blood pressure drop. During your 30-minute infusion, a healthcare professional will monitor your condition. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, rash, or difficulty breathing.
Page info
Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Christopher J. Graber, M.D., MPH, FIDSA, Infectious Disease