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Carbapenems WHO AWaRe: Watch Prescription only

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.

Drug class
Carbapenems
Common forms
Injectable (reconstituted)
Generic available
Yes
Legal status
Prescription only

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

PharmacyRetail priceWith 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

StrengthPharmacyPer 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
StrengthPharmacyPer 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
StrengthPharmacyPer 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 generic antibiotic administered by injection and serves as the active component in the brand-name medication Invanz. Healthcare providers prescribe ertapenem to address bacterial infections affecting the abdomen, skin, urinary tract, pelvis, and lungs. It is also routinely given to patients as a preventive measure against bacterial infection following surgical procedures. The drug functions by interfering with bacteria's ability to synthesize a protective cell wall. A healthcare professional administers ertapenem as an intravenous infusion. The typical cost of ertapenem at full price is $129.91.

Available forms

solution reconstituted

Related & alternative drugs

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.

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.

Known drug interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Co-administration with probenecid inhibits the renal excretion of ertapenem and is therefore not recommended. ( 7.1 ) The concomitant use of ertapenem and valproic acid/divalproex sodium is generally not recommended. Anti-bacterials other than carbapenems should be considered to treat infections in patients whose seizures are well controlled on valproic acid or divalproex sodium. ( 5.2 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Probenecid Probenecid interferes with the active tubular secretion of ertapenem, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of ertapenem [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Co-administration of probenecid with ertapenem is not recommended.

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.

$72.6M
Medicare Part D spend, 2024
173.5K
Medicare Part D claims, 2024
7
FDA-listed manufacturers (Orange Book)
$20.56
Federal (VA) contract price per pack (10)

Frequently asked questions

How much does Ertapenem cost without insurance?
Retail (no-insurance) prices we found for Ertapenem range up to about $56.04 depending on pharmacy, form, and quantity. With a free pharmacy discount card, the lowest price we found was $29.14. Your actual price depends on the exact strength, quantity, and pharmacy — see the tables above.
Is there a generic version of Ertapenem?
Yes — our pricing data includes at least one generic listing for Ertapenem. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are typically the lowest-cost option; check the price tables above for the generic rows specifically.
What drug class is Ertapenem in?
Ertapenem belongs to the carbapenems class of antibiotics. WHO classifies it as an 'Watch' antibiotic under its AWaRe stewardship framework.

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.


Sources

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.