Drug interactions
Ertapenem + Valproic acid
Severity: Contraindicated
Ertapenem and Valproic acid: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ertapenem markedly lowers serum valproic acid concentrations, which can fall below the therapeutic range within a day or two. This can cause loss of seizure control, and the reduction may persist after the antibiotic is discontinued.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ertapenem and Valproic acid are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Ertapenem belongs to Anti Bacterial; Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbapenems are thought to inhibit hydrolysis of valproate glucuronide back to valproate and may reduce its absorption and red cell uptake, lowering valproate concentrations.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose a non-carbapenem antibiotic. If unavoidable, add a different anticonvulsant and monitor valproate levels and seizure activity, including after the antibiotic ends.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Ertapenem
Other interactions of Valproic acid
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
- Cilastatin-imipenem + Valproic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ertapenem with Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ertapenem and Valproic acid are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Ertapenem markedly lowers serum valproic acid concentrations, which can fall below the therapeutic range within a day or two. This can cause loss of seizure control, and the reduction may persist after the antibiotic is discontinued.
How serious is the interaction between Ertapenem and Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and choose a non-carbapenem antibiotic. If unavoidable, add a different anticonvulsant and monitor valproate levels and seizure activity, including after the antibiotic ends.
What other medicines interact with Ertapenem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ertapenem with, for example, Typhoid vaccine live, Cholera vaccine, Microbiota. The full list is on the Ertapenem page.
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