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Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

INVANZ (ertapenem sodium) · Merck

Infectious Disease Approved 2001-11-21

Invanz is a carbapenem antibacterial indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe infections in adults and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older). It is used to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections, skin and skin structure infections (including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis), and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis). It is also indicated for community-acquired pneumonia and acute pelvic infections. In adult patients, Invanz is indicated for the prophylaxis of surgical site infections following elective colorectal surgery. To prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria, its use should be limited to infections proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

How INVANZ Works

Ertapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that exerts bactericidal activity by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). This binding inhibits the transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in the bacterial cell wall, leading to the interruption of cell wall assembly and subsequent bacterial cell lysis.

NDA
Small Molecule
4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
24
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2001-11-21
Routes
INTRAMUSCULAR, INTRAVENOUS
Dosage Forms
INJECTABLE

Companies

Active Ingredient: ERTAPENEM SODIUM

INVANZ Approval History

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
32 FDA actions from 2001 to 2022 · 3 indication expansions
Mar 2022 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Dec 2020 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Sep 2019 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What INVANZ Treats

10 indications

INVANZ is approved for 10 conditions since its original approval in 2001. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

Source: FDA Label

INVANZ Competitive Set

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LABS DELBERT
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Clinical Trial Registry

2 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT01370616 results posted 0826-061 Ph 3 completed Ertapenem Sodium (MK-0826) Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam Sodium for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections in Chinese Adults (MK-0826-061)
NCT01254344 results posted 0826-056 Ph 3 completed Efficacy and Safety of Ertapenem Sodium (MK-0826) Following Colorectal Surgery in Chinese Adults (MK-0826-056)
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

INVANZ FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

INVANZ is a penem antibacterial indicated in adult patients and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) for the treatment of the following moderate to severe infections caused by susceptible bacteria: Complicated intra-abdominal infections. Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis. Community-acquired pneumonia. Complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis. Acute pelvic infections including postpartum endomyometritis, septic abortion and post-surgical gynecologic infections. INVANZ is indicated in adults for...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.