Faropenem, a Stable and Orally Bioavailable β-Lactam, to Counteract Resistant Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge challenge for the effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases worldwide. Community-onset infections with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing bacteria are a challenge. In various studies, ESBL-producing isolates were consistently susceptible only to carbapenems. When treatment with other antibiotics fails, carbapenems are used as the last-line antibiotics for treating severe and/or resistant bacterial infections. In this narrative review, we aim to present the pharmacology of Faropenem, which is an orally administered penem antibiotic with a broad-spectrum activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes, and anaerobes. Faropenem is effective in the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis and is a potential solution to combat the emergence of resistance among respiratory tract pathogens. It is an alternative to fluoroquinolones or macrolides/ketolides when there is a concern with resistant pathogens.