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Carbapenems: Why MICs are important*

The higher the MIC, the shorter the time above MIC (T>MIC), which lowers the level of expected microbiological effect1

  • The bactericidal activity of carbapenems is time dependent
  • Time-dependent agents provide bactericidal activity during the period of time that free drug concentration remains above the MIC for target organisms1

Hypothetical carbapenem PK curve example*1

MICs are an important determinant of bactericidal activity

The longer free drug concentration remains above the MIC (T>MIC), the greater amount of time the drug is providing bactericidal activity.

Within the carbapenem class, T>MIC is the best predictor of bacterial killing.2-4

Lower MIC90 extends T>MIC to sustain bacterial killing within the dosing interval*1

Lower MIC90 extends T>MIC to sustain bacterial killing within the dosing interval

For carbapenems with higher MICs, the time that the drug can provide bacterial killing is reduced.

Optimizing antimicrobial therapy via PK/PD principles—such as extending time
above MIC—is one strategy to potentially reduce antimicrobial resistance.2-4

Because the antipseudomonal carbapenems have similar PK profiles if dosed similarly, including protein-binding, lower MICs may help extend the
percentage of time above MIC.*1

*PK/PD data and in vitro activity do not necessarily correlate with clinical results; not intended to convey comparative safety or efficacy.

 

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  • To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of DORIBAX® and other antibacterial drugs, DORIBAX® should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting and modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy