Doripenem in VAP

 Q: Doripenem is highly effective among all carbapenems in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)? 

A) Yes 

B) No

Answer: B

Doripenem became popular for VAP as they were found to be more potent in vitro against P. aeruginosa. But subsequent follow-up study showed increased 28-days mortality in VAP patients. In fact, the study was stopped early. This leads FDA to add a warning on Doripenem for use in VAP patients.

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References:

1. Kollef MH, Chastre J, Clavel M, et al. A randomized trial of 7-day doripenem versus 10-day imipenem-cilastatin for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Crit Care 2012; 16:R218. 

 2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves label changes for antibacterial Doribax (doripenem) describing increased risk of death for ventilator patients with pneumonia. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm387971.htm (Last accessed on March 11, 2021).

3. Paterson DL, Depestel DD. Doripenem. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 49:291.