Doribax

1

ANNEX I

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 250 mg powder for solution for infusion

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to 250 mg doripenem.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Powder for solution for infusion (powder for infusion)

White to slightly yellowish off-white crystalline powder

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Doribax is indicated for the treatment of the following infections in adults (see sections 4.4 and 5.1):
● Nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator–associated pneumonia)
● Complicated intra-abdominal infections
● Complicated urinary tract infections

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology
The recommended dose and administration by infection is shown in the following table:

Infection Dose Frequency Infusion time
Nosocomial pneumonia including 
ventilator–associated pneumonia

500 mg or 1 g* every 8 hours 1 or 4 hours**

Complicated intra-abdominal infection 500 mg every 8 hours 1 hour
Complicated UTI, including pyelonephritis 500 mg every 8 hours 1 hour
* 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour infusion may be considered in patients with augmented renal clearance (particularly 

those with creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 150 ml/min) and/or in infections due to non-fermenting gram-negative 
pathogens (such as Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp.). This dose regimen is based on PK/PD data (see 
sections 4.4, 4.8 and 5.1).

** Based mainly on PK/PD considerations, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable for infection with less 
susceptible pathogens (see section 5.1). This dosing regimen should also be considered in particularly severe 
infections.

Duration of treatment
The usual treatment duration of doripenem therapy ranges from 5-14 days and should be guided by the 
severity, site of the infection, infecting pathogen and the patient’s clinical response. The usual 
treatment duration for patients with nosocomial pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia 
is 10 to 14 days and is often in the upper range for patients infected with non-fermenting 
gram-negative pathogens (such as Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp.) (see section 5.1).

Doripenem was given for up to 14 days in clinical studies and the safety of longer durations of therapy 
has not been established. After commencing treatment with intravenous doripenem, a switch to 
appropriate oral therapy to complete the treatment course is possible once clinical improvement has 
been established.

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Elderly patients ( 65 years of age)
No dose adjustment is necessary in elderly patients, except in cases of moderate to severe renal 
impairment (see Renal impairment below and section 5.2).

Renal impairment
In patients with mild renal impairment (i.e. creatinine clearance (CrCl) is > 50 to  80 ml/min), no 
dose adjustment is necessary.

In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl ≥ 30 to  50 ml/min), the dose of doripenem should 
be 250 mg every 8 hours (see section 6.6). In patients with severe renal impairment 
(CrCl < 30 ml/min), the dose of doripenem should be 250 mg every 12 hours (see section 6.6). In 
patients prescribed 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour infusion, the dose should be similarly adjusted 
(moderate renal impairment: 500 mg every 8 hours; severe renal impairment: 500 mg every 12 hours).

Due to limited clinical data and an expected increased exposure to doripenem and its metabolite
(doripenem-M-1), Doribax should be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (see 
section 5.2).

Dose in patients on dialysis
Doribax dosing and administration recommendations for patients on continuous renal replacement 
therapies are shown in the following table.

CRRT
procedure

Glomerular 
filtration rate Dose Frequency

Infusion timea, b
Target

attainment
(MIC)

CVVH ≤ 30 ml/min 250 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CVVHDF < 5 ml/min 250 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CVVHDF 5-30 ml/min 500 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CRRT: continuous renal replacement therapy; CVVH: continuous venovenous haemofiltration; CVVHDF: 
continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration; MIC: minimum inhibitory concentration
a

For patients with acute renal insufficiency on CRRT, an infusion time of 4 hours is required, taking into consideration the possible 
increases in non-renal clearance of carbapenems in patients with acute renal insufficiency.

b
Patients with chronic renal impairment on CRRT can be treated with either a 1 or 4-hour infusion time. Based mainly on PK/PD 
considerations, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable to maximize the percentage time during the dosing interval that the 
plasma concentration of doripenem exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T > MIC), (see section 5.1).

Dosing recommendations for pathogens with MIC > 1 mg/l have not been established for continuous 
renal replacement therapy due to the potential for accumulation of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
metabolite (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Close safety monitoring is advised for patients on continuous 
renal replacement therapy, due to limited clinical data and an expected increased exposure to
doripenem-M-1 metabolite (see section 4.4).

There is insufficient information to make dose adjustment recommendations for patients on other 
forms of dialysis (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary.

Paediatric patients
The safety and efficacy of Doribax in children aged less than 18 years have not yet been established.
No data are available.

Method of administration
Doribax is to be reconstituted and then further diluted (see section 6.6) prior to administration by 
intravenous infusion over a period of 1 or 4 hours.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance

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Hypersensitivity to any other carbapenem antibacterial agent
Severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reaction, severe skin reaction) to any other type of 
beta-lactam antibacterial agent (e.g. penicillins or cephalosporins).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

General
The selection of doripenem to treat an individual patient should take into account the appropriateness 
of using a carbapenem antibacterial agent based on factors such as severity of the infection, the 
prevalence of resistance to other suitable antibacterial agents and the risk of selecting for 
carbapenem-resistant bacteria.

Caution on the choice of antibiotic agent and dose should be taken when treating patients with 
late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (> 5 days hospitalisation) and in other nosocomial 
pneumonia cases where pathogens with decreased susceptibility are suspected or confirmed, such as 
Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

Concomitant use of an aminoglycoside may be indicated when Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections 
are suspected or proven to be involved in the approved indications (see section 4.1).

Hypersensitivity reactions
Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have occurred in patients 
receiving beta-lactam antibiotics. Before therapy with Doribax is started, careful inquiry should be 
made concerning a previous history of hypersensitivity reactions to other active substances in this 
class or to beta-lactam antibiotics. Doribax should be used with caution in patients with such a history. 
Should a hypersensitivity reaction to doripenem occur, it should be discontinued immediately and 
appropriate measures taken. Serious acute hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions require immediate 
emergency treatment.

Seizures
Seizures have  been reported during treatment with carbapenems, including doripenem (see section 
4.8). Seizures in clinical trials with doripenem occurred most commonly in those with pre-existing 
central nervous system (CNS) disorders (e.g. stroke or history of seizures), compromised renal 
function and at doses greater than 500 mg.

Pseudomembranous colitis
Pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile has been reported with Doribax and may range 
in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in 
patients who present with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of Doribax (see section 
4.8).

Overgrowth of non-susceptible bacteria
Administration of doripenem, like other antibiotics, has been associated with emergence and selection 
of strains with reduced susceptibility. Patients should be carefully monitored during therapy. If 
superinfection occurs, appropriate measures should be taken. Prolonged use of Doribax should be 
avoided.

Drug interaction with valproic acid
The concomitant use of doripenem and valproic acid/sodium valproate is not recommended (see 
section 4.5).

Pneumonitis with inhalational use
When Doribax was used investigationally via inhalation, pneumonitis occurred. Therefore, doripenem 
should not be administered by this route.

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Continuous renal replacement therapy
The exposure to the metabolite doripenem-M-1 in patients on continuous renal replacement therapy 
may be increased to levels where no in vivo safety data are presently available. The metabolite lacks 
target pharmacological activity but other possible pharmacological effects are unknown. Therefore, 
close safety monitoring is advised. (see sections 4.2 and 5.2)

Description of the patient population treated in clinical studies
In two clinical trials of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (N=979), 60% of the clinically-evaluable 
Doribax-treated patients had ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Of these, 50% had late-onset 
VAP (defined as that occurring after five days of mechanical ventilation), 54% had an APACHE 
(Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation) II score > 15 and 32% received concomitant 
aminoglycosides (76% for more than 3 days).

In two clinical trials of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (N=962) the most 
common anatomical site of infection in microbiologically-evaluable Doribax-treated patients was the 
appendix (62%). Of these, 51% had generalised peritonitis at baseline. Other sources of infection 
included colon perforation (20%), complicated cholecystitis (5%) and infections at other sites (14%). 
Eleven percent had an APACHE II score of > 10, 9.5% had post-operative infections, 27% had single 
or multiple intra-abdominal abscesses and 4% had concurrent bacteraemia at baseline.

In two clinical trials of patients with complicated urinary tract infections (N=1,179), 52% of 
microbiologically-evaluable Doribax-treated patients had complicated lower urinary tract infections 
and 48% had pyelonephritis, of which 16% were complicated. Overall, 54% of patients had a 
persistent complication, 9% had concurrent bacteraemia and 23% were infected with a levofloxacin 
resistant uropathogen at baseline.

The experience in patients who are severely immunocompromised, receiving immunosuppressive 
therapy, and patients with severe neutropenia is limited since this population was excluded from 
phase III trials.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Doripenem undergoes little to no Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mediated metabolism. Based on in 
vitro studies it is not expected that doripenem will inhibit or induce the activities of CYP450. 
Therefore, no CYP450-related drug interactions are to be expected (see section 5.2).

It has been shown that co-administration of doripenem and valproic acid significantly reduces serum 
valproic acid levels below the therapeutic range. The lowered valproic acid levels can lead to 
inadequate seizure control. In an interaction study, the serum concentrations of valproic acid were 
markedly reduced (AUC was reduced by 63%) following co-administration of doripenem and valproic 
acid. The interaction had a fast onset. Since patients were administered only four doses of doripenem, 
a further decrease of valproic acid levels with longer concomitant administration cannot be excluded.
Decreases in valproic acid levels have also been reported when co-administered with other 
carbapenem agents, achieving a 60-100% decrease in valproic acid levels in about two days. 
Therefore, alternative antibacterial or supplemental anticonvulsant therapies should be considered.

Probenecid competes with doripenem for renal tubular secretion and reduces the renal clearance of 
doripenem. In an interaction study, the mean doripenem AUC increased by 75% following 
co-administration with probenecid. Therefore, co-administration of probenecid with Doribax is not 
recommended. An interaction with other medicinal products eliminated by renal tubular secretion 
cannot be excluded.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
For doripenem, limited clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies are 
insufficient with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal 

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development (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Doribax should not be used 
during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether doripenem is excreted in human breast milk. A study in rats has shown that 
doripenem and its metabolite are transferred to milk. A decision on whether to continue/discontinue 
breast-feeding or to continue/discontinue therapy with Doribax should be made taking into account the 
benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of Doribax therapy to the woman.

Fertility
There are no clinical data available regarding potential effects of doripenem treatment on male or 
female fertility. Intravenous injection of doripenem had no adverse effects on general fertility of 
treated male and female rats or on postnatal development and reproductive performance of the 
offspring at doses as high as 1 g/kg/day (based on AUC, at least equal to the exposure to humans at the 
dose of 500 mg administered every 8 hours).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects of Doribax on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. 
Based on reported adverse drug reactions, it is not anticipated that Doribax will affect the ability to 
drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile
In 3,142 adult patients (1,817 of which received Doribax) evaluated for safety in phase II and phase III
clinical trials, adverse reactions due to Doribax 500 mg every 8 hours occurred at a rate of 32%. 
Doribax was discontinued because of adverse drug reactions in 0.1% of patients overall. Adverse drug 
reactions that led to Doribax discontinuation were nausea (0.1%), diarrhoea (0.1%), pruritus (0.1%), 
vulvomycotic infection (0.1%), hepatic enzyme increased (0.2%) and rash (0.2%). The most common 
adverse reactions were headache (10%), diarrhoea (9%) and nausea (8%).

The safety profile in approximately 500 patients who received Doribax 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour 
infusion in phase I, II and III clinical trials, was consistent with the safety profile for patients receiving 
500 mg every 8 hours.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse drug reactions identified during clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Doribax 
are listed below by frequency category. Frequency categories are defined as follows: Very common 
(≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); Not known (cannot be 
estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Adverse drug reactions identified during clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Doribax
Infections and infestation Common: oral candidiasis, vulvomycotic infection
Blood and lymphatic system disorders Uncommon: thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
Immune system disorders Uncommon: hypersensitivity reactions (see section 4.4)

Not known: anaphylaxis (see section 4.4)
Nervous system disorders Very common: headache

Uncommon: seizures (see section 4.4)
Vascular disorders Common: phlebitis
Gastrointestinal disorders Common: nausea, diarrhoea

Uncommon: C. difficile colitis (see section 4.4)
Hepatobiliary disorders Common: hepatic enzyme increased

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Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Common: pruritus, rash
Not known: toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson 
syndrome

4.9 Overdose

In a phase I study in healthy subjects receiving doripenem 2 g infused over 1 hour every 8 hours for 10
to 14 days, the incidence of rash was very common (5 of 8 subjects). The rash resolved within 10 days 
after doripenem administration was discontinued.

In the event of overdose, Doribax should be discontinued and general supportive treatment given until 
renal elimination takes place. Doribax can be removed by continuous renal replacement therapy or 
haemodialysis (see section 5.2). However, no information is available on the use of either of these 
therapies to treat overdose.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use, carbapenems, ATC code: J01DH04.

Mechanism of action
Doripenem is a synthetic carbapenem antibacterial agent.

Doripenem exerts its bactericidal activity by inhibiting bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Doripenem 
inactivates multiple essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) resulting in inhibition of cell wall 
synthesis with subsequent cell death.

In vitro doripenem showed little potential to antagonise or be antagonised by other antibacterial 
agents. Additive activity or weak synergy with amikacin and levofloxacin has been seen for 
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and for gram-positive bacteria with daptomycin, linezolid, levofloxacin, and 
vancomycin.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship
Similar to other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, the time that the plasma concentration of doripenem 
exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T>MIC) of the infecting organism has been shown 
to best correlate with efficacy in pre-clinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies. 
Monte Carlo simulations using pathogen susceptibility results from completed phase III trials and 
population PK data indicated that the %T>MIC target of 35% was achieved in greater than 90% of 
patients with nosocomial pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections and complicated 
intra-abdominal infections, for all degrees of renal function.

Extending the infusion time of doripenem to 4 hours maximises the % T>MIC for a given dose and is 
the basis for the option to administer 4-hour infusions in patients with nosocomial pneumonia 
including ventilator-associated pneumonia. In seriously ill patients or those with an impaired immune 
response, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable when the MIC of doripenem for the known or 
suspected pathogen(s) has been shown or is expected to be > 0.5 mg/l, in order to reach a target 
attainment of 50% T>MIC in at least 95% of the patients (see section 4.2). Monte Carlo simulations 
supported the use of 500 mg 4-hour infusions every 8 hours in subjects with normal renal function for 
target pathogens with doripenem MICs  4 mg/l.

Mechanisms of resistance
Bacterial resistance mechanisms that effect doripenem include active substance inactivation by 
carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes, mutant or acquired PBPs, decreased outer membrane permeability 
and active efflux. Doripenem is stable to hydrolysis by most beta-lactamases, including penicillinases 
and cephalosporinases produced by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with the exception of 

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relatively rare carbapenem hydrolysing beta-lactamases. Species resistant to other carbapenems do 
generally express co-resistance to doripenem. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci should always be 
considered as resistant to doripenem. As with other antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, 
doripenem has been shown to select for resistant bacterial strains.

Breakpoints
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints established by the European Committee on 
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) are as follows:

Non species related S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Staphylococci inferred from the methicillin breakpoint
Enterobacteriaceae S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Acinetobacter spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Pseudomonas spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Streptococcus spp. other than S. pneumoniae S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
S. pneumoniae S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
Enterococci “inappropriate target”
Haemophilus spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
N. gonorrhoeae IE (insufficient evidence)
Anaerobes S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l

Susceptibility
The prevalence of acquired resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and 
local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, 
expert advice should be sought when the local prevalence of resistance is such that the utility of the 
agent in at least some types of infections is questionable.

Localised clusters of infections due to carbapenem-resistant organisms have been reported in the 
European Union. The information below gives only approximate guidance on the probability as to 
whether the micro-organism will be susceptible to doripenem or not.

Commonly susceptible species:
Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus faecalis*$

Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin susceptible strains only)*^

Staphylococcus spp. (methicillin susceptible strains only)^

Streptococcus pneumoniae*

Streptococcus spp.

Gram-negative aerobes
Citrobacter diversus
Citrobacter freundii
Enterobacter aerogenes
Enterobacter cloacae*

Haemophilus influenzae*

Escherichia coli*

Klebsiella pneumoniae*

Klebsiella oxytoca
Morganella morganii
Proteus mirabilis*

Proteus vulgaris
Providencia rettgeri
Providencia stuartii
Salmonella spp.
Serratia marcescens
Shigella spp.

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Anaerobes
Bacteroides fragilis*

Bacteroides caccae*

Bacteroides ovatus
Bacteroides uniformis*

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron*

Bacteroides vulgatus*

Bilophila wadsworthia
Peptostreptococcus magnus
Peptostreptococcus micros*

Porphyromonas spp.
Prevotella spp.
Sutterella wadsworthensis

Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem:
Acinetobacter baumannii*

Acinetobacter spp.
Burkholderia cepacia$+

Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

Inherently resistant organisms:
Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus faecium

Gram-negative aerobes
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Legionella spp.

* species against which activity has been demonstrated in clinical studies
$ species that show natural intermediate susceptibility
+ species with > 50% acquired resistance in one or more Member State
^ all methicillin-resistant staphylococci should be regarded as resistant to doripenem

Data from clinical studies
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
A study of 233 patients with late-onset VAP failed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of an 
investigational 7-day course of doripenem (1 g every 8 hours as a 4 hour infusion) compared to a 
10-day course of imipenem/cilastatin (1 g every 8 hours as a 1 hour infusion). In addition, the patients 
were allowed to receive specified adjunctive therapies. The study was stopped early based on the 
recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee. The clinical cure rate at the end of 
treatment visit on day 10 was numerically lower for subjects in the doripenem arm of the primary 
microbiological intent-to-treat (MITT) (45.6% versus 56.8%; 95% CI: -26.3%; 3.8%) and co-primary 
microbiologically evaluable (ME) (49.1% [28/57] versus 66.1% [39/59]); 95% CI: -34.7%; 0.8%) 
analysis sets. The overall 28-day all cause mortality rate was numerically higher for doripenem treated 
subjects in the MITT analysis set (21.5% versus 14.8%; 95% CI: -5.0%; 18.5%).The difference in 
clinical cure rate between doripenem versus imipenem/cilastatin was greater in patients with APACHE 
score > 15 (16/45 [36%] versus 23/46 [50%]) and in patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
7/17 [41%] versus 6/10 [60%]).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The mean Cmax and AUC0-∞ of doripenem in healthy subjects across studies following administration 
of 500 mg over 1 hour are approximately 23 g/ml and 36 µg.h/ml, respectively. The mean Cmax and 
AUC0-∞ of doripenem in healthy subjects across studies following administration of 500 mg and 1 g 
over 4 hours are approximately 8 µg/ml and 17 µg/ml, and 34 µg.h/ml and 68 µg.h/ml, respectively. 
There is no accumulation of doripenem following multiple intravenous infusions of either 500 mg or 
1 g administered every 8 hours for 7 to 10 days in subjects with normal renal function.

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Doripenem single dose pharmacokinetics after a 4-hour infusion in adults with cystic fibrosis are 
consistent with those in adults without cystic fibrosis. Adequate and well controlled studies to 
establish the safety and efficacy of doripenem in patients with cystic fibrosis have not been conducted.

Distribution
The average binding of doripenem to plasma proteins was approximately 8.1% and is independent of 
plasma concentrations. The volume of distribution at steady state is approximately 16.8 l, similar to 
extracellular fluid volume in man. Doripenem penetrates well into several body fluids and tissues, 
such as uterine tissue, retroperitoneal fluid, prostatic tissue, gallbladder tissue and urine.

Biotransformation
Metabolism of doripenem to a microbiologically inactive ring-opened metabolite occurs primarily via 
dehydropeptidase-I. Doripenem undergoes little to no Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mediated 
metabolism. In vitro studies have determined that doripenem does not inhibit or induce the activities of 
CYP isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 or 3A4.

Elimination
Doripenem is primarily eliminated unchanged by the kidneys. Mean plasma terminal elimination 
half-life of doripenem in healthy young adults is approximately 1 hour and plasma clearance is 
approximately 15.9 l/hour. Mean renal clearance is 10.3 l/hour. The magnitude of this value, coupled 
with the significant decrease in the elimination of doripenem seen with concomitant probenecid 
administration, suggests that doripenem undergoes glomerular filtration, tubular secretion and 
re-absorption. In healthy young adults given a single 500 mg dose of Doribax, 71% and 15% of the 
dose was recovered in urine as unchanged active substance and ring-opened metabolite, respectively. 
Following the administration of a single 500 mg dose of radiolabeled doripenem to healthy young 
adults, less than 1% of the total radioactivity was recovered in faeces. The pharmacokinetics of 
doripenem are linear over a dose range of 500 mg to 2 g when intravenously infused over 1 hour and 
500 mg to 1 g when intravenously infused over 4 hours.

Renal impairment
Following a single 500 mg dose of Doribax, doripenem AUC increased 1.6-fold, 2.8-fold, and 5.1-fold 
in subjects with mild (CrCl 51-79 ml/min), moderate (CrCl 31-50 ml/min), and severe renal 
impairment (CrCl  30 ml/min), respectively, compared to age-matched healthy subjects with normal 
renal function (CrCl > 80 ml/min). AUC of the microbiologically inactive ring-opened metabolite 
(doripenem-M-1) is expected to be considerably increased in patients with severe renal impairment 
compared with healthy subjects. Dose adjustment is necessary in patients with moderate and severe 
renal impairment (see section 4.2).

Doribax dosage adjustment is necessary in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy 
(see section 4.2). In a study where 12 subjects with end stage renal disease received a single 500 mg 
dose of doripenem as a 1-hour i.v. infusion, the systemic exposure to doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
were increased compared with healthy subjects. The amount of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
removed during a 12-hour CVVH session was approximately 28% and 10% of the dose, respectively; 
and during a 12-hour CVVHDF session was approximately 21% and 8% of the dose, respectively. 
Dosing recommendations for patients on continuous renal replacement therapy were developed to 
achieve doripenem systemic exposures similar to subjects with normal renal function who receive 
doripenem 500 mg as a 1-hour infusion, to maintain doripenem concentrations above a minimum
inhibitory concentration of 1 mg/l for at least 35% of the dosing interval, and to maintain doripenem 
and doripenem-M-1 metabolite exposures below those observed with a 1-hour infusion of 1 g 
doripenem every 8 hours in healthy subjects. These dosing recommendations were derived by 
modeling data from subjects with end stage renal disease receiving continuous renal replacement 
therapy, and take into consideration the potential increases in non-renal clearance of carbapenems in 
patients with acute renal insufficiency compared to patients with chronic renal impairment. 
Doripenem-M-1 had a slow elimination in the patient group and the half-life (and AUC) has not been 
satisfactorily determined. Therefore, it may not be excluded that the exposure obtained in patients 
receiving continuous renal replacement therapy will be higher than estimated and thus higher than 

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metabolite exposures observed with a 1-hour infusion of 1 g doripenem every 8 hours in healthy 
subjects. The in vivo consequences of the increased exposures to the metabolite are unknown as data 
on pharmacological activity, except for antimicrobiological activity, are lacking (see section 4.4). If 
the doripenem dose is increased beyond the recommended dose for continuous renal replacement 
therapy, the systemic exposure of the doripenem-M-1 metabolite is even further increased. The 
clinical consequences of such an increase in exposure are unknown.

The systemic exposures to doripenem and doripenem-M-1 are substantially increased in patients with 
end stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis compared with healthy subjects. In a study where six 
subjects with end stage renal disease received a single dose of 500 mg doripenem by i.v. infusion, the 
amount of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 removed during a 4-hour haemodialysis session was 
approximately 46% and 6% of the dose, respectively. There is insufficient information to make dose 
adjustment recommendations in patients on intermittent haemodialysis or dialysis methods other than 
continuous renal replacement therapy (see section 4.2).

Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of doripenem in patients with hepatic impairment have not been established. As 
doripenem does not appear to undergo hepatic metabolism, the pharmacokinetics of doripenem are not 
expected to be affected by hepatic impairment.

Elderly
The impact of age on the pharmacokinetics of doripenem was evaluated in healthy elderly male and 
female subjects (66-84 years of age). Doripenem AUC increased 49% in elderly adults relative to 
young adults. These changes were mainly attributed to age-related changes in renal function. No dose 
adjustment is necessary in elderly patients, except in cases of moderate to severe renal insufficiency
(see section 4.2).

Gender
The effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of doripenem was evaluated in healthy male and female 
subjects. Doripenem AUC was 13% higher in females compared to males. No dose adjustment is 
recommended based on gender.

Race
The effect of race on doripenem pharmacokinetics was examined through a population 
pharmacokinetic analysis. No significant difference in mean doripenem clearance was observed across 
race groups and therefore, no dose adjustment is recommended for race.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology and genotoxicity. However, because of the design of the repeat dose toxicity studies 
and differences in pharmacokinetics in animals and humans, continuous exposure of animals was not 
assured in these studies.

No reproductive toxicity was observed in studies performed in rats and rabbits. However, these studies 
are of limited relevance because studies were performed with single daily dosing resulting in less than 
one tenth of daily doripenem exposure duration in animals.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

None

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6.2 Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in 
section 6.3.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years.

Storage of reconstituted solutions: Upon reconstitution with sterile water for injections or sodium 
chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection, Doribax suspension in the vial may be held for up to 
1 hour below 30C prior to transfer and dilution in the infusion bag.

Following dilution in the infusion bag, Doribax infusions stored at room temperature or under 
refrigeration should be completed according to the times in the following table:

Time by which reconstitution, dilution and infusion must be completed for Doribax infusion solutions

Infusion solution Solution stored at 
room 
temperature

Solution stored in a 
refrigerator 
(2C-8C) 

sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection 12 hours 72 hours*
+dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection 4 hours 24 hours*
* Once removed from the refrigerator, infusions should be completed within the room temperature stability time, 

provided the total refrigeration time, time to reach room temperature and infusion time does not exceed refrigeration 
stability time.

+
Dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection should not be used for infusion durations greater than 1 hour.

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for the times and solutions shown in the 
above table.

From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used 
immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and 
would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2C-8C, unless reconstitution/dilution has taken place 
in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, and infusion solutions, see section 
6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Clear 20 ml Type I glass vial.

The medicinal product is supplied in cartons containing 10 vials.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Each vial is for single use only.

Doribax is reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.

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Preparation of 250 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 250 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 250 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing 

50 ml or 100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 
50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution. Infuse all of this solution 
to administer a 250 mg dose of doripenem.

Doribax solutions for infusion range from clear, colourless solutions to solutions that are clear and 
slightly yellow. Variations in colour within this range do not affect the potency of the product.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/08/467/002

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 25 July 2008

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu/.

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14

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 500 mg powder for solution for infusion

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to 500 mg doripenem.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Powder for solution for infusion (powder for infusion)

White to slightly yellowish off-white crystalline powder

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Doribax is indicated for the treatment of the following infections in adults (see sections 4.4 and 5.1):
● Nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator–associated pneumonia)
● Complicated intra-abdominal infections
● Complicated urinary tract infections

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology
The recommended dose and administration by infection is shown in the following table:

Infection Dose Frequency Infusion time
Nosocomial pneumonia including 
ventilator–associated pneumonia

500 mg or 1 g* every 8 hours 1 or 4 hours**

Complicated intra-abdominal infection 500 mg every 8 hours 1 hour
Complicated UTI, including pyelonephritis 500 mg every 8 hours 1 hour
* 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour infusion may be considered in patients with augmented renal clearance (particularly 

those with creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 150 ml/min) and/or in infections due to non-fermenting gram-negative
pathogens (such as Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp.). This dose regimen is based on PK/PD data (see 
sections 4.4, 4.8 and 5.1).

** Based mainly on PK/PD considerations, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable for infection with less 
susceptible pathogens (see section 5.1). This dosing regimen should also be considered in particularly severe 
infections.

Duration of treatment
The usual treatment duration of doripenem therapy ranges from 5-14 days and should be guided by the 
severity, site of the infection, infecting pathogen and the patient’s clinical response. The usual 
treatment duration for patients with nosocomial pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia 
is 10 to 14 days and is often in the upper range for patients infected with non-fermenting 
gram-negative pathogens (such as Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp.) (see section 5.1).

Doripenem was given for up to 14 days in clinical studies and the safety of longer durations of therapy 
has not been established. After commencing treatment with intravenous doripenem, a switch to 
appropriate oral therapy to complete the treatment course is possible once clinical improvement has 
been established.

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Elderly patients ( 65 years of age)
No dose adjustment is necessary in elderly patients, except in cases of moderate to severe renal 
impairment (see Renal impairment below and section 5.2).

Renal impairment
In patients with mild renal impairment (i.e. creatinine clearance (CrCl) is > 50 to  80 ml/min), no 
dose adjustment is necessary.

In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl ≥ 30 to  50 ml/min), the dose of doripenem should 
be 250 mg every 8 hours (see section 6.6). In patients with severe renal impairment 
(CrCl < 30 ml/min), the dose of doripenem should be 250 mg every 12 hours (see section 6.6). In 
patients prescribed 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour infusion, the dose should be similarly adjusted 
(moderate renal impairment: 500 mg every 8 hours; severe renal impairment: 500 mg every 12 hours).

Due to limited clinical data and an expected increased exposure to doripenem and its metabolite
(doripenem-M-1), Doribax should be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (see 
section 5.2).

Dose in patients on dialysis
Doribax dosing and administration recommendations for patients on continuous renal replacement 
therapies are shown in the following table.

CRRT
procedure

Glomerular 
filtration rate Dose Frequency

Infusion timea, b
Target

attainment
(MIC)

CVVH ≤ 30 ml/min 250 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CVVHDF < 5 ml/min 250 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CVVHDF 5-30 ml/min 500 mg every 12 hours 4 hours ≤ 1 mg/l
CRRT: continuous renal replacement therapy; CVVH: continuous venovenous haemofiltration; CVVHDF: 
continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration; MIC: minimum inhibitory concentration
a

For patients with acute renal insufficiency on CRRT, an infusion time of 4 hours is required, taking into consideration the possible 
increases in non-renal clearance of carbapenems in patients with acute renal insufficiency.

b
Patients with chronic renal impairment on CRRT can be treated with either a 1 or 4-hour infusion time. Based mainly on PK/PD 
considerations, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable to maximize the percentage time during the dosing interval that the 
plasma concentration of doripenem exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T > MIC), (see section 5.1).

Dosing recommendations for pathogens with MIC > 1 mg/l have not been established for continuous 
renal replacement therapy due to the potential for accumulation of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
metabolite (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Close safety monitoring is advised for patients on continuous 
renal replacement therapy, due to limited clinical data and an expected increased exposure to
doripenem-M-1 metabolite (see section 4.4).

There is insufficient information to make dose adjustment recommendations for patients on other 
forms of dialysis (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary.

Paediatric patients
The safety and efficacy of Doribax in children aged less than 18 years have not yet been established.
No data are available.

Method of administration
Doribax is to be reconstituted and then further diluted (see section 6.6) prior to administration by 
intravenous infusion over a period of 1 or 4 hours.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance

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Hypersensitivity to any other carbapenem antibacterial agent
Severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reaction, severe skin reaction) to any other type of 
beta-lactam antibacterial agent (e.g. penicillins or cephalosporins).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

General
The selection of doripenem to treat an individual patient should take into account the appropriateness 
of using a carbapenem antibacterial agent based on factors such as severity of the infection, the 
prevalence of resistance to other suitable antibacterial agents and the risk of selecting for 
carbapenem-resistant bacteria.

Caution on the choice of antibiotic agent and dose should be taken when treating patients with 
late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (> 5 days hospitalisation) and in other nosocomial 
pneumonia cases where pathogens with decreased susceptibility are suspected or confirmed, such as 
Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

Concomitant use of an aminoglycoside may be indicated when Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections 
are suspected or proven to be involved in the approved indications (see section 4.1).

Hypersensitivity reactions
Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have occurred in patients 
receiving beta-lactam antibiotics. Before therapy with Doribax is started, careful inquiry should be 
made concerning a previous history of hypersensitivity reactions to other active substances in this 
class or to beta-lactam antibiotics. Doribax should be used with caution in patients with such a history. 
Should a hypersensitivity reaction to doripenem occur, it should be discontinued immediately and 
appropriate measures taken. Serious acute hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions require immediate 
emergency treatment.

Seizures
Seizures have been reported during treatment with carbapenems, including doripenem (see section 
4.8). Seizures in clinical trials with doripenem occurred most commonly in those with pre-existing 
central nervous system (CNS) disorders (e.g. stroke or history of seizures), compromised renal 
function and at doses greater than 500 mg.

Pseudomembranous colitis
Pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile has been reported with Doribax and may range 
in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in 
patients who present with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of Doribax (see section 
4.8).

Overgrowth of non-susceptible bacteria
Administration of doripenem, like other antibiotics, has been associated with emergence and selection 
of strains with reduced susceptibility. Patients should be carefully monitored during therapy. If 
superinfection occurs, appropriate measures should be taken. Prolonged use of Doribax should be 
avoided.

Drug interaction with valproic acid
The concomitant use of doripenem and valproic acid/sodium valproate is not recommended (see 
section 4.5).

Pneumonitis with inhalational use
When Doribax was used investigationally via inhalation, pneumonitis occurred. Therefore, doripenem
should not be administered by this route.

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Continuous renal replacement therapy
The exposure to the metabolite doripenem-M-1 in patients on continuous renal replacement therapy 
may be increased to levels where no in vivo safety data are presently available. The metabolite lacks 
target pharmacological activity but other possible pharmacological effects are unknown. Therefore, 
close safety monitoring is advised. (see sections 4.2 and 5.2)

Description of the patient population treated in clinical studies
In two clinical trials of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (N=979), 60% of the clinically-evaluable 
Doribax-treated patients had ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Of these, 50% had late-onset 
VAP (defined as that occurring after five days of mechanical ventilation), 54% had an APACHE 
(Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation) II score > 15 and 32% received concomitant 
aminoglycosides (76% for more than 3 days).

In two clinical trials of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (N=962) the most 
common anatomical site of infection in microbiologically-evaluable Doribax-treated patients was the 
appendix (62%). Of these, 51% had generalised peritonitis at baseline. Other sources of infection 
included colon perforation (20%), complicated cholecystitis (5%) and infections at other sites (14%). 
Eleven percent had an APACHE II score of > 10, 9.5% had post-operative infections, 27% had single 
or multiple intra-abdominal abscesses and 4% had concurrent bacteraemia at baseline.

In two clinical trials of patients with complicated urinary tract infections (N=1,179), 52% of 
microbiologically-evaluable Doribax-treated patients had complicated lower urinary tract infections 
and 48% had pyelonephritis, of which 16% were complicated. Overall, 54% of patients had a 
persistent complication, 9% had concurrent bacteraemia and 23% were infected with a levofloxacin 
resistant uropathogen at baseline.

The experience in patients who are severely immunocompromised, receiving immunosuppressive 
therapy, and patients with severe neutropenia is limited since this population was excluded from 
phase III trials.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Doripenem undergoes little to no Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mediated metabolism. Based on in 
vitro studies it is not expected that doripenem will inhibit or induce the activities of CYP450. 
Therefore, no CYP450-related drug interactions are to be expected (see section 5.2).

It has been shown that co-administration of doripenem and valproic acid significantly reduces serum 
valproic acid levels below the therapeutic range. The lowered valproic acid levels can lead to 
inadequate seizure control. In an interaction study, the serum concentrations of valproic acid were 
markedly reduced (AUC was reduced by 63%) following co-administration of doripenem and valproic 
acid. The interaction had a fast onset. Since patients were administered only four doses of doripenem, 
a further decrease of valproic acid levels with longer concomitant administration cannot be excluded.
Decreases in valproic acid levels have also been reported when co-administered with other 
carbapenem agents, achieving a 60-100% decrease in valproic acid levels in about two days. 
Therefore, alternative antibacterial or supplemental anticonvulsant therapies should be considered.

Probenecid competes with doripenem for renal tubular secretion and reduces the renal clearance of 
doripenem. In an interaction study, the mean doripenem AUC increased by 75% following 
co-administration with probenecid. Therefore, co-administration of probenecid with Doribax is not 
recommended. An interaction with other medicinal products eliminated by renal tubular secretion 
cannot be excluded.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
For doripenem, limited clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies are 
insufficient with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal 

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development (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Doribax should not be used 
during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether doripenem is excreted in human breast milk. A study in rats has shown that 
doripenem and its metabolite are transferred to milk. A decision on whether to continue/discontinue 
breast-feeding or to continue/discontinue therapy with Doribax should be made taking into account the 
benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of Doribax therapy to the woman.

Fertility
There are no clinical data available regarding potential effects of doripenem treatment on male or 
female fertility. Intravenous injection of doripenem had no adverse effects on general fertility of 
treated male and female rats or on postnatal development and reproductive performance of the 
offspring at doses as high as 1 g/kg/day (based on AUC, at least equal to the exposure to humans at the 
dose of 500 mg administered every 8 hours).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects of Doribax on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. 
Based on reported adverse drug reactions, it is not anticipated that Doribax will affect the ability to 
drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile
In 3,142 adult patients (1,817 of which received Doribax) evaluated for safety in phase II and phase III
clinical trials, adverse reactions due to Doribax 500 mg every 8 hours occurred at a rate of 32%. 
Doribax was discontinued because of adverse drug reactions in 0.1% of patients overall. Adverse drug 
reactions that led to Doribax discontinuation were nausea (0.1%), diarrhoea (0.1%), pruritus (0.1%), 
vulvomycotic infection (0.1%), hepatic enzyme increased (0.2%) and rash (0.2%). The most common 
adverse reactions were headache (10%), diarrhoea (9%) and nausea (8%).

The safety profile in approximately 500 patients who received Doribax 1 g every 8 hours as a 4-hour 
infusion in phase I, II and III clinical trials, was consistent with the safety profile for patients receiving 
500 mg every 8 hours.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse drug reactions identified during clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Doribax 
are listed below by frequency category. Frequency categories are defined as follows: Very common 
(≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); Not known (cannot be 
estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Adverse drug reactions identified during clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Doribax
Infections and infestation Common: oral candidiasis, vulvomycotic infection
Blood and lymphatic system disorders Uncommon: thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
Immune system disorders Uncommon: hypersensitivity reactions (see section 4.4)

Not known: anaphylaxis (see section 4.4)
Nervous system disorders Very common: headache

Uncommon: seizures (see section 4.4)
Vascular disorders Common: phlebitis
Gastrointestinal disorders Common: nausea, diarrhoea

Uncommon: C. difficile colitis (see section 4.4)
Hepatobiliary disorders Common: hepatic enzyme increased

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Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Common: pruritus, rash
Not known: toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson 
syndrome

4.9 Overdose

In a phase I study in healthy subjects receiving doripenem 2 g infused over 1 hour every 8 hours for 10
to 14 days, the incidence of rash was very common (5 of 8 subjects). The rash resolved within 10 days 
after doripenem administration was discontinued.

In the event of overdose, Doribax should be discontinued and general supportive treatment given until 
renal elimination takes place. Doribax can be removed by continuous renal replacement therapy or 
haemodialysis (see section 5.2). However, no information is available on the use of either of these 
therapies to treat overdose.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use, carbapenems, ATC code: J01DH04.

Mechanism of action
Doripenem is a synthetic carbapenem antibacterial agent.

Doripenem exerts its bactericidal activity by inhibiting bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Doripenem 
inactivates multiple essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) resulting in inhibition of cell wall 
synthesis with subsequent cell death.

In vitro doripenem showed little potential to antagonise or be antagonised by other antibacterial 
agents. Additive activity or weak synergy with amikacin and levofloxacin has been seen for 
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and for gram-positive bacteria with daptomycin, linezolid, levofloxacin, and 
vancomycin.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship
Similar to other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, the time that the plasma concentration of doripenem 
exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T>MIC) of the infecting organism has been shown 
to best correlate with efficacy in pre-clinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies. 
Monte Carlo simulations using pathogen susceptibility results from completed phase III trials and 
population PK data indicated that the %T>MIC target of 35% was achieved in greater than 90% of 
patients with nosocomial pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections and complicated 
intra-abdominal infections, for all degrees of renal function.

Extending the infusion time of doripenem to 4 hours maximises the % T>MIC for a given dose and is 
the basis for the option to administer 4-hour infusions in patients with nosocomial pneumonia 
including ventilator-associated pneumonia. In seriously ill patients or those with an impaired immune 
response, a 4-hour infusion time may be more suitable when the MIC of doripenem for the known or 
suspected pathogen(s) has been shown or is expected to be > 0.5 mg/l, in order to reach a target 
attainment of 50% T>MIC in at least 95% of the patients (see section 4.2). Monte Carlo simulations 
supported the use of 500 mg 4-hour infusions every 8 hours in subjects with normal renal function for 
target pathogens with doripenem MICs  4 mg/l.

Mechanisms of resistance
Bacterial resistance mechanisms that effect doripenem include active substance inactivation by 
carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes, mutant or acquired PBPs, decreased outer membrane permeability 
and active efflux. Doripenem is stable to hydrolysis by most beta-lactamases, including penicillinases 
and cephalosporinases produced by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with the exception of 

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relatively rare carbapenem hydrolysing beta-lactamases. Species resistant to other carbapenems do 
generally express co-resistance to doripenem. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci should always be 
considered as resistant to doripenem. As with other antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, 
doripenem has been shown to select for resistant bacterial strains.

Breakpoints
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints established by the European Committee on 
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) are as follows:

Non species related S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Staphylococci inferred from the methicillin breakpoint
Enterobacteriaceae S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Acinetobacter spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Pseudomonas spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 4 mg/l
Streptococcus spp. other than S. pneumoniae S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
S. pneumoniae S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
Enterococci “inappropriate target”
Haemophilus spp. S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l
N. gonorrhoeae IE (insufficient evidence)
Anaerobes S  1 mg/l and R > 1 mg/l

Susceptibility
The prevalence of acquired resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and 
local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, 
expert advice should be sought when the local prevalence of resistance is such that the utility of the 
agent in at least some types of infections is questionable.

Localised clusters of infections due to carbapenem-resistant organisms have been reported in the 
European Union. The information below gives only approximate guidance on the probability as to 
whether the micro-organism will be susceptible to doripenem or not.

Commonly susceptible species:
Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus faecalis*$

Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin susceptible strains only)*^

Staphylococcus spp. (methicillin susceptible strains only)^

Streptococcus pneumoniae*

Streptococcus spp.

Gram-negative aerobes
Citrobacter diversus
Citrobacter freundii
Enterobacter aerogenes
Enterobacter cloacae*

Haemophilus influenzae*

Escherichia coli*

Klebsiella pneumoniae*

Klebsiella oxytoca
Morganella morganii
Proteus mirabilis*

Proteus vulgaris
Providencia rettgeri
Providencia stuartii
Salmonella spp.
Serratia marcescens
Shigella spp.

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Anaerobes
Bacteroides fragilis*

Bacteroides caccae*

Bacteroides ovatus
Bacteroides uniformis*

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron*

Bacteroides vulgatus*

Bilophila wadsworthia
Peptostreptococcus magnus
Peptostreptococcus micros*

Porphyromonas spp.
Prevotella spp.
Sutterella wadsworthensis

Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem:
Acinetobacter baumannii*

Acinetobacter spp.
Burkholderia cepacia$+

Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

Inherently resistant organisms:
Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus faecium

Gram-negative aerobes
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Legionella spp.

* species against which activity has been demonstrated in clinical studies
$ species that show natural intermediate susceptibility
+ species with > 50% acquired resistance in one or more Member State
^ all methicillin-resistant staphylococci should be regarded as resistant to doripenem

Data from clinical studies
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
A study of 233 patients with late-onset VAP failed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of an 
investigational 7-day course of doripenem (1 g every 8 hours as a 4 hour infusion) compared to a 
10-day course of imipenem/cilastatin (1 g every 8 hours as a 1 hour infusion). In addition, the patients 
were allowed to receive specified adjunctive therapies. The study was stopped early based on the 
recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee. The clinical cure rate at the end of 
treatment visit on day 10 was numerically lower for subjects in the doripenem arm of the primary 
microbiological intent-to-treat (MITT) (45.6% versus 56.8%; 95% CI: -26.3%; 3.8%) and co-primary 
microbiologically evaluable (ME) (49.1% [28/57] versus 66.1% [39/59]); 95% CI: -34.7%; 0.8%) 
analysis sets. The overall 28-day all cause mortality rate was numerically higher for doripenem treated 
subjects in the MITT analysis set (21.5% versus 14.8%; 95% CI: -5.0%; 18.5%).The difference in 
clinical cure rate between doripenem versus imipenem/cilastatin was greater in patients with APACHE 
score > 15 (16/45 [36%] versus 23/46 [50%]) and in patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
7/17 [41%] versus 6/10 [60%]).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The mean Cmax and AUC0-∞ of doripenem in healthy subjects across studies following administration 
of 500 mg over 1 hour are approximately 23 g/ml and 36 µg.h/ml, respectively. The mean Cmax and 
AUC0-∞ of doripenem in healthy subjects across studies following administration of 500 mg and 1 g 
over 4 hours are approximately 8 µg/ml and 17 µg/ml, and 34 µg.h/ml and 68 µg.h/ml, respectively. 
There is no accumulation of doripenem following multiple intravenous infusions of either 500 mg or 
1 g administered every 8 hours for 7 to 10 days in subjects with normal renal function.

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Doripenem single dose pharmacokinetics after a 4-hour infusion in adults with cystic fibrosis are 
consistent with those in adults without cystic fibrosis. Adequate and well controlled studies to 
establish the safety and efficacy of doripenem in patients with cystic fibrosis have not been conducted.

Distribution
The average binding of doripenem to plasma proteins was approximately 8.1% and is independent of 
plasma concentrations. The volume of distribution at steady state is approximately 16.8 l, similar to 
extracellular fluid volume in man. Doripenem penetrates well into several body fluids and tissues, 
such as uterine tissue, retroperitoneal fluid, prostatic tissue, gallbladder tissue and urine.

Biotransformation
Metabolism of doripenem to a microbiologically inactive ring-opened metabolite occurs primarily via 
dehydropeptidase-I. Doripenem undergoes little to no Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mediated 
metabolism. In vitro studies have determined that doripenem does not inhibit or induce the activities of 
CYP isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 or 3A4.

Elimination
Doripenem is primarily eliminated unchanged by the kidneys. Mean plasma terminal elimination 
half-life of doripenem in healthy young adults is approximately 1 hour and plasma clearance is 
approximately 15.9 l/hour. Mean renal clearance is 10.3 l/hour. The magnitude of this value, coupled 
with the significant decrease in the elimination of doripenem seen with concomitant probenecid 
administration, suggests that doripenem undergoes glomerular filtration, tubular secretion and 
re-absorption. In healthy young adults given a single 500 mg dose of Doribax, 71% and 15% of the 
dose was recovered in urine as unchanged active substance and ring-opened metabolite, respectively. 
Following the administration of a single 500 mg dose of radiolabeled doripenem to healthy young 
adults, less than 1% of the total radioactivity was recovered in faeces. The pharmacokinetics of 
doripenem are linear over a dose range of 500 mg to 2 g when intravenously infused over 1 hour and 
500 mg to 1 g when intravenously infused over 4 hours.

Renal impairment
Following a single 500 mg dose of Doribax, doripenem AUC increased 1.6-fold, 2.8-fold, and 5.1-fold 
in subjects with mild (CrCl 51-79 ml/min), moderate (CrCl 31-50 ml/min), and severe renal 
impairment (CrCl  30 ml/min), respectively, compared to age-matched healthy subjects with normal 
renal function (CrCl > 80 ml/min). AUC of the microbiologically inactive ring-opened metabolite
(doripenem-M-1) is expected to be considerably increased in patients with severe renal impairment 
compared with healthy subjects. Dose adjustment is necessary in patients with moderate and severe 
renal impairment (see section 4.2).

Doribax dosage adjustment is necessary in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy 
(see section 4.2). In a study where 12 subjects with end stage renal disease received a single 500 mg 
dose of doripenem as a 1-hour i.v. infusion, the systemic exposure to doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
were increased compared with healthy subjects. The amount of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 
removed during a 12-hour CVVH session was approximately 28% and 10% of the dose, respectively; 
and during a 12-hour CVVHDF session was approximately 21% and 8% of the dose, respectively. 
Dosing recommendations for patients on continuous renal replacement therapy were developed to 
achieve doripenem systemic exposures similar to subjects with normal renal function who receive 
doripenem 500 mg as a 1-hour infusion, to maintain doripenem concentrations above a minimum 
inhibitory concentration of 1 mg/l for at least 35% of the dosing interval, and to maintain doripenem 
and doripenem-M-1 metabolite exposures below those observed with a 1-hour infusion of 1 g 
doripenem every 8 hours in healthy subjects. These dosing recommendations were derived by 
modeling data from subjects with end stage renal disease receiving continuous renal replacement 
therapy, and take into consideration the potential increases in non-renal clearance of carbapenems in 
patients with acute renal insufficiency compared to patients with chronic renal impairment.
Doripenem-M-1 had a slow elimination in the patient group and the half-life (and AUC) has not been 
satisfactorily determined. Therefore, it may not be excluded that the exposure obtained in patients 
receiving continuous renal replacement therapy will be higher than estimated and thus higher than 

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23

metabolite exposures observed with a 1-hour infusion of 1 g doripenem every 8 hours in healthy 
subjects. The in vivo consequences of the increased exposures to the metabolite are unknown as data 
on pharmacological activity, except for antimicrobiological activity, are lacking (see section 4.4). If 
the doripenem dose is increased beyond the recommended dose for continuous renal replacement 
therapy, the systemic exposure of the doripenem-M-1 metabolite is even further increased. The 
clinical consequences of such an increase in exposure are unknown.

The systemic exposures to doripenem and doripenem-M-1 are substantially increased in patients with 
end stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis compared with healthy subjects. In a study where six 
subjects with end stage renal disease received a single dose of 500 mg doripenem by i.v. infusion, the 
amount of doripenem and doripenem-M-1 removed during a 4-hour haemodialysis session was 
approximately 46% and 6% of the dose, respectively. There is insufficient information to make dose 
adjustment recommendations in patients on intermittent haemodialysis or dialysis methods other than 
continuous renal replacement therapy (see section 4.2).

Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of doripenem in patients with hepatic impairment have not been established. As 
doripenem does not appear to undergo hepatic metabolism, the pharmacokinetics of doripenem are not 
expected to be affected by hepatic impairment.

Elderly
The impact of age on the pharmacokinetics of doripenem was evaluated in healthy elderly male and 
female subjects (66-84 years of age). Doripenem AUC increased 49% in elderly adults relative to 
young adults. These changes were mainly attributed to age-related changes in renal function. No dose 
adjustment is necessary in elderly patients, except in cases of moderate to severe renal insufficiency
(see section 4.2).

Gender
The effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of doripenem was evaluated in healthy male and female 
subjects. Doripenem AUC was 13% higher in females compared to males. No dose adjustment is 
recommended based on gender.

Race
The effect of race on doripenem pharmacokinetics was examined through a population 
pharmacokinetic analysis. No significant difference in mean doripenem clearance was observed across 
race groups and therefore, no dose adjustment is recommended for race.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology and genotoxicity. However, because of the design of the repeat dose toxicity studies 
and differences in pharmacokinetics in animals and humans, continuous exposure of animals was not 
assured in these studies.

No reproductive toxicity was observed in studies performed in rats and rabbits. However, these studies 
are of limited relevance because studies were performed with single daily dosing resulting in less than 
one tenth of daily doripenem exposure duration in animals.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

None

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6.2 Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in 
section 6.3.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years.

Storage of reconstituted solutions: Upon reconstitution with sterile water for injections or sodium 
chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection, Doribax suspension in the vial may be held for up to 
1 hour below 30C prior to transfer and dilution in the infusion bag.

Following dilution in the infusion bag, Doribax infusions stored at room temperature or under 
refrigeration should be completed according to the times in the following table:

Time by which reconstitution, dilution and infusion must be completed for Doribax infusion solutions

Infusion solution Solution stored at 
room 
temperature

Solution stored in a 
refrigerator 
(2C-8C) 

sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection 12 hours 72 hours*
+dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection 4 hours 24 hours*
* Once removed from the refrigerator, infusions should be completed within the room temperature stability time, 

provided the total refrigeration time, time to reach room temperature and infusion time does not exceed refrigeration 
stability time.

+
Dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection should not be used for infusion durations greater than 1 hour.

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for the times and solutions shown in the 
above table.

From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used 
immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and 
would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2C-8C, unless reconstitution/dilution has taken place 
in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, and infusion solutions, see section 
6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Clear 20 ml Type I glass vial.

The medicinal product is supplied in cartons containing 10 vials.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Each vial is for single use only.

Doribax is reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.

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Preparation of 500 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 500 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 500 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing

100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution. Infuse all of this solution to 
administer a 500 mg dose of doripenem.

Preparation of 250 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 500 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 500 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing 

100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution.

4. Remove 55 ml of this solution from the infusion bag and discard. Infuse all of the remaining 
solution to administer a 250 mg dose of doripenem.

Doribax solutions for infusion range from clear, colourless solutions to solutions that are clear and 
slightly yellow. Variations in colour within this range do not affect the potency of the product.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/08/467/001

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 25 July 2008

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu/.

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http://www.ema.europa.eu/


26

ANNEX II

A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

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A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

Name and address of the manufacturer(s) responsible for batch release
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

● Periodic Safety Update Reports
The marketing authorisation holder shall submit periodic safety update reports for this product in 
accordance with the requirements set out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for 
under Article 107c(7) of Directive 2001/83/EC and published on the European medicines web-portal.

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

● Risk Management Plan (RMP)
The MAH shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities and interventions detailed in the
agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the Marketing Authorisation and any agreed subsequent 
updates of the RMP.

An updated RMP should be submitted:
● At the request of the European Medicines Agency.
● Whenever the risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new 

information being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile 
or as the result of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being 
reached.

If the submission of a PSUR and the update of a RMP coincide, they can be submitted at the same 
time.

● Additional risk minimisation measures
Not applicable.

● Obligation to conduct post-authorisation measures
Not applicable.

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ANNEX III

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET

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29

A. LABELLING

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 250 mg powder for solution for infusion
doripenem

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to 250 mg doripenem.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Powder for solution for infusion
10 vials

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Intravenous use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

For single use only

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

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11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/08/467/002

13. BATCH NUMBER

BN

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Justification for not using Braille accepted

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE IMMEDIATE PACKAGING

VIAL

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 250 mg powder for infusion
doripenem

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each vial contains 250 mg doripenem (as monohydrate).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

250 mg

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

IV use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S) IF NECESSARY

For single use only

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

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Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER (S)

EU/1/08/467/002

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 500 mg powder for solution for infusion
doripenem

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to 500 mg doripenem.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Powder for solution for infusion
10 vials

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Intravenous use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

For single use only

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

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11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/08/467/001

13. BATCH NUMBER

BN

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Justification for not using Braille accepted

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE IMMEDIATE PACKAGING

VIAL

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Doribax 500 mg powder for infusion
doripenem

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each vial contains 500 mg doripenem (as monohydrate).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

500 mg

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

IV use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING (S) IF NECESSARY

For single use only

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

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Janssen-Cilag International NV
Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse
Belgium

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER (S)

EU/1/08/467/001

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

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B. PACKAGE LEAFLET

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39

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Doribax 250 mg powder for solution for infusion
doripenem

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible 

side effects not listed in this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet
1. What Doribax is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Doribax
3. How to use Doribax
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Doribax
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Doribax is and what it is used for

Doribax contains the active substance doripenem. This medicine is an antibiotic which works by 
killing different types of bacteria (germs) that cause infections in various parts of the body.

Doribax is used to treat adults for the following infections:
- Pneumonia (a serious type of chest or lung infection) that you catch in a hospital or similar 

setting. This includes pneumonia that you catch when on a machine that helps you breathe.
- Complicated infections of the area around your stomach (abdominal infections).
- Complicated urinary tract infections, including kidney infections and cases that have spread to 

the bloodstream.

2. What you need to know before you use Doribax

Do not use Doribax:
- If you are allergic to doripenem.
- If you are allergic to other antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins or carbapenems (which 

are used to treat various infections) as you may also be allergic to Doribax.

Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor,
pharmacist or nurse before being given Doribax.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before being given Doribax, and if you have:
- Kidney problems. Your doctor may need to lower your dose of Doribax.
- Diarrhoea. It is important that you tell your doctor if you have bloody diarrhoea before, during 

or after your treatment with Doribax. This is because you may have a condition known as colitis 
(an inflammation of the bowel). Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhoea without first 
checking with your doctor.

- Central nervous system disorders such as stroke or history of seizures. Seizures have been 
reported during treatment with Doribax and antibiotics that work in a similar way to Doribax. 
While antibiotics including Doribax kill certain bacteria, other bacteria and fungi may continue 
to grow more than normal. This is called overgrowth. Your doctor will monitor you for 
overgrowth and treat you if necessary.

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40

Doribax should not be inhaled as it may cause inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis).

Children and adolescents
Doribax should not be given to children or adolescents (under 18 years of age) as there is not enough 
information to be sure that Doribax can be used safely in children or adolescents.

Other medicines and Doribax
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines. This includes medicines you get without a prescription or herbal medicines. Tell your 
doctor if you are taking:
- valproic acid or sodium valproate (used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraines or 

schizophrenia)
- probenecid (used to treat gout or high levels of uric acid in the blood).
Your doctor will decide whether you should use Doribax in combination with these other medicines.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Doribax if:
- You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should 

use Doribax.
- You are breast-feeding or if you plan to breast-feed. Small amounts of this medicine may pass 

into breast milk and it may affect the baby. Therefore, your doctor will decide whether you 
should use Doribax while breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines
Doribax is not likely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

3. How to use Doribax

How much Doribax is given
- Your doctor will decide how much Doribax you need and for how long.

Adults (including people over 65 years of age)
- The usual dose is 500 mg every eight hours. Each dose is given over a period of one or four 

hours.
- The treatment course usually lasts 5 to 14 days.
- If you have kidney problems, your doctor may lower your dose of Doribax to 250 mg given 

over one or four hours every eight or 12 hours.

How Doribax is given
- Doribax will be prepared and given to you by a doctor or nurse over one or four hours as an 

intravenous infusion into one of your veins (this is sometimes known as a “drip”).

If you are given too much Doribax
Symptoms of overdose may include rash. If you are concerned that you may have been given too 
much Doribax, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse straight away.

If a Doribax dose has been missed
If you are concerned that you may have missed a dose of Doribax, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or 
nurse straight away. It is important that you receive treatment with Doribax as long as your doctor 
feels it is necessary.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

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4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects
Tell your doctor straight away if you get any of these side effects as you may need urgent 
medical treatment:
- Sudden swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue, a rash, swallowing or breathing problems. 

These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and may be life-threatening.
- Serious skin reactions, with a widespread rash with peeling skin and blisters in the mouth, eyes 

and genitals (toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- If you get bloody diarrhoea before, during or after your treatment with Doribax (Clostridium 

difficile colitis)

Other side effects
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Headache

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Rash, itching or hives
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Vein wall inflammation where the intravenous infusion (or “drip”) goes into your vein 

(phlebitis)
- Fungal infections (thrush) in your mouth or vagina
- Increase in the level of some liver enzymes in your blood.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Decrease of blood platelet count which may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding
- Decrease of white blood cells which may increase your risk of infections
- Seizures.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side 
effects not listed in this leaflet.

5. How to store Doribax

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and vial. The first two 
numbers indicate the month. The next four numbers indicate the year. The expiry date refers to the last 
day of that month.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Doribax contains
- The active substance is doripenem. Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to

250 mg doripenem.

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42

What Doribax looks like and contents of the pack
Doribax is a white to slightly yellowish off-white crystalline powder in a glass vial. Doribax is 
supplied in packs of 10 vials.

Marketing Authorisation Holder Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag International NV Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Turnhoutseweg 30 Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse B-2340 Beerse
Belgium Belgium

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder:

België/Belgique/Belgien
JANSSEN-CILAG NV/SA
Tel/Tél: + 32 14 64 94 11

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
JANSSEN-CILAG NV/SA
Belgique/Belgien
Tél/Tel: +32 14 64 94 11

България
Johnson & Johnson D. O. O.
Teл.: +359 2 489 94 00

Magyarország
JANSSEN-CILAG Kft.
Tel.: +36 23 513 858

Česká republika
JANSSEN-CILAG s.r.o.
Tel: +420 227 012 222

Malta
AM MANGION LTD
Tel: +356 2397 6000

Danmark
JANSSEN-CILAG A/S
Tlf: +45 45 94 82 82

Nederland
JANSSEN-CILAG B.V.
Tel: +31 13 583 73 73

Deutschland
JANSSEN-CILAG GmbH
Tel: +49 2137 955 955

Norge
JANSSEN-CILAG AS
Tlf: + 47 24 12 65 00

Eesti
Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o. Eesti filiaal
Tel: + 372 617 7410

Österreich
JANSSEN-CILAG Pharma GmbH
Tel: +43 1 610 300

Ελλάδα
JANSSEN-CILAG Φαρμακευτική Α.Ε.Β.Ε.
Tηλ: +30 210 809 0000

Polska
JANSSEN–CILAG Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tel.: + 48 22 237 60 00

España
JANSSEN-CILAG, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 722 81 00

Portugal
JANSSEN-CILAG FARMACEUTICA, LDA
Tel: +351 21 4368835

France
JANSSEN-CILAG
Tél: 0800 25 50 75/+ 33 1 55 00 44 44

România
Johnson&Johnson România SRL
Tel: +40 21 2071800

Ireland
JANSSEN-CILAG Ltd.
Tel: +44 1494 567 444

Slovenija
Johnson & Johnson d.o.o.
Tel: + 386 1 401 18 30

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43

Ísland
JANSSEN-CILAG, c/o Vistor Hf
Sími: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, s.r.o.
Tel: +421 232 408 400

Italia
JANSSEN-CILAG SpA
Tel: +39 02 2510 1

Suomi/Finland
JANSSEN-CILAG OY
Puh/Tel: +358 207 531 300

Κύπρος
Βαρνάβας Χατζηπαναγής Λτδ
Tηλ: +357 22 755 214

Sverige
JANSSEN-CILAG AB
Tel: +46 8 626 50 00

Latvija
Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o. filiāle Latvijā
Tel: +371 678 93561

United Kingdom
JANSSEN-CILAG Ltd.
Tel: +44 1494 567 444

Lietuva
UAB „Johnson & Johnson“
Tel: +370 5 278 68 88

This leaflet was last revised in MM/YYYY

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only
Each vial is for single use only.
Doribax is reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.

Preparation of 250 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 250 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 250 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing 

50 ml or 100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 
50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution. Infuse all of this solution 
to administer a 250 mg dose of doripenem.

Doribax solutions for infusion range from clear, colourless solutions to solutions that are clear and 
slightly yellow. Variations in colour within this range do not affect the potency of the product.

Storage of reconstituted solutions
Upon reconstitution with sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 
injection, Doribax suspension in the vial may be held for up to 1 hour below 30C prior to transfer and 
dilution in the infusion bag.

Following dilution in the infusion bag, Doribax infusions stored at room temperature or under 
refrigeration should be completed according to the times in the following table:

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Time by which reconstitution, dilution and infusion must be completed for Doribax infusions 
solutions
Infusion solution Solution stored at 

room temperature
Solution stored in a 
refrigerator 
(2C-8C)

sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection 12 hours 72 hours*
+ dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection 4 hours 24 hours*
* Once removed from the refrigerator, infusions should be completed within the room temperature stability time, 

provided the total refrigeration time, time to reach room temperature and infusion time does not exceed refrigeration 
stability time.

+
Dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection should not be used for infusion durations greater than 1 hour.

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for the times and solutions shown in the 
above table.

From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used 
immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and 
would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2C-8C, unless reconstitution/dilution has taken place 
in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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45

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Doribax 500 mg powder for solution for infusion
doripenem

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible 

side effects not listed in this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet
1. What Doribax is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Doribax
3. How to use Doribax
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Doribax
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Doribax is and what it is used for

Doribax contains the active substance doripenem. This medicine is an antibiotic which works by 
killing different types of bacteria (germs) that cause infections in various parts of the body.

Doribax is used to treat adults for the following infections:
- Pneumonia (a serious type of chest or lung infection) that you catch in a hospital or similar 

setting. This includes pneumonia that you catch when on a machine that helps you breathe.
- Complicated infections of the area around your stomach (abdominal infections).
- Complicated urinary tract infections, including kidney infections and cases that have spread to 

the bloodstream.

2. What you need to know before you use Doribax

Do not use Doribax:
- If you are allergic to doripenem.
- If you are allergic to other antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins or carbapenems (which 

are used to treat various infections) as you may also be allergic to Doribax.

Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor,
pharmacist or nurse before being given Doribax.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before being given Doribax, and if you have:
- Kidney problems. Your doctor may need to lower your dose of Doribax.
- Diarrhoea. It is important that you tell your doctor if you have bloody diarrhoea before, during 

or after your treatment with Doribax. This is because you may have a condition known as colitis 
(an inflammation of the bowel). Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhoea without first 
checking with your doctor.

- Central nervous system disorders such as stroke or history of seizures. Seizures have been 
reported during treatment with Doribax and antibiotics that work in a similar way to Doribax. 
While antibiotics including Doribax kill certain bacteria, other bacteria and fungi may continue 
to grow more than normal. This is called overgrowth. Your doctor will monitor you for 
overgrowth and treat you if necessary.

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46

Doribax should not be inhaled as it may cause inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis).

Children and adolescents
Doribax should not be given to children or adolescents (under 18 years of age) as there is not enough 
information to be sure that Doribax can be used safely in children or adolescents.

Other medicines and Doribax
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines. This includes medicines you get without a prescription or herbal medicines. Tell your 
doctor if you are taking:
- valproic acid or sodium valproate (used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraines or 

schizophrenia)
- probenecid (used to treat gout or high levels of uric acid in the blood).
Your doctor will decide whether you should use Doribax in combination with these other medicines.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Doribax if:
- You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should 

use Doribax.
- You are breast-feeding or if you plan to breast-feed. Small amounts of this medicine may pass 

into breast milk and it may affect the baby. Therefore, your doctor will decide whether you 
should use Doribax while breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines
Doribax is not likely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

3. How to use Doribax

How much Doribax is given
- Your doctor will decide how much Doribax you need and for how long.

Adults (including people over 65 years of age)
- The usual dose is 500 mg every eight hours. Each dose is given over a period of one or four 

hours.
- The treatment course usually lasts 5 to 14 days.
- If you have kidney problems, your doctor may lower your dose of Doribax to 250 mg given 

over one or four hours every eight or 12 hours.

How Doribax is given
- Doribax will be prepared and given to you by a doctor or nurse over one or four hours as an 

intravenous infusion into one of your veins (this is sometimes known as a “drip”).

If you are given too much Doribax
Symptoms of overdose may include rash. If you are concerned that you may have been given too 
much Doribax, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse straight away.

If a Doribax dose has been missed
If you are concerned that you may have missed a dose of Doribax, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or 
nurse straight away. It is important that you receive treatment with Doribax as long as your doctor 
feels it is necessary.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

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47

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects
Tell your doctor straight away if you get any of these side effects as you may need urgent 
medical treatment:
- Sudden swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue, a rash, swallowing or breathing problems. 

These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and may be life-threatening.
- Serious skin reactions, with a widespread rash with peeling skin and blisters in the mouth, eyes 

and genitals (toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- If you get bloody diarrhoea before, during or after your treatment with Doribax (Clostridium 

difficile colitis)

Other side effects
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Headache

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Rash, itching or hives
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Vein wall inflammation where the intravenous infusion (or “drip”) goes into your vein 

(phlebitis)
- Fungal infections (thrush) in your mouth or vagina
- Increase in the level of some liver enzymes in your blood.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Decrease of blood platelet count which may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding
- Decrease of white blood cells which may increase your risk of infections
- Seizures.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side 
effects not listed in this leaflet.

5. How to store Doribax

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and vial. The first two 
numbers indicate the month. The next four numbers indicate the year. The expiry date refers to the last 
day of that month.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Doribax contains
- The active substance is doripenem. Each vial contains doripenem monohydrate equivalent to

500 mg doripenem.

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48

What Doribax looks like and contents of the pack
Doribax is a white to slightly yellowish off-white crystalline powder in a glass vial. Doribax is 
supplied in packs of 10 vials.

Marketing Authorisation Holder Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag International NV Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Turnhoutseweg 30 Turnhoutseweg 30
B-2340 Beerse B-2340 Beerse
Belgium Belgium

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder:

België/Belgique/Belgien
JANSSEN-CILAG NV/SA
Tel/Tél: + 32 14 64 94 11

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
JANSSEN-CILAG NV/SA
Belgique/Belgien
Tél/Tel: +32 14 64 94 11

България
Johnson & Johnson D. O. O.
Teл.: +359 2 489 94 00

Magyarország
JANSSEN-CILAG Kft.
Tel.: +36 23 513 858

Česká republika
JANSSEN-CILAG s.r.o.
Tel: +420 227 012 222

Malta
AM MANGION LTD
Tel: +356 2397 6000

Danmark
JANSSEN-CILAG A/S
Tlf: +45 45 94 82 82

Nederland
JANSSEN-CILAG B.V.
Tel: +31 13 583 73 73

Deutschland
JANSSEN-CILAG GmbH
Tel: +49 2137 955 955

Norge
JANSSEN-CILAG AS
Tlf: + 47 24 12 65 00

Eesti
Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o. Eesti filiaal
Tel: + 372 617 7410

Österreich
JANSSEN-CILAG Pharma GmbH
Tel: +43 1 610 300

Ελλάδα
JANSSEN-CILAG Φαρμακευτική Α.Ε.Β.Ε.
Tηλ: +30 210 809 0000

Polska
JANSSEN–CILAG Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tel.: + 48 22 237 60 00

España
JANSSEN-CILAG, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 722 81 00

Portugal
JANSSEN-CILAG FARMACEUTICA, LDA
Tel: +351 21 4368835

France
JANSSEN-CILAG
Tél: 0800 25 50 75/+ 33 1 55 00 44 44

România
Johnson&Johnson România SRL
Tel: +40 21 2071800

Ireland
JANSSEN-CILAG Ltd.
Tel: +44 1494 567 444

Slovenija
Johnson & Johnson d.o.o.
Tel: + 386 1 401 18 30

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49

Ísland
JANSSEN-CILAG, c/o Vistor Hf
Sími: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, s.r.o.
Tel: +421 232 408 400

Italia
JANSSEN-CILAG SpA
Tel: +39 02 2510 1

Suomi/Finland
JANSSEN-CILAG OY
Puh/Tel: +358 207 531 300

Κύπρος
Βαρνάβας Χατζηπαναγής Λτδ
Tηλ: +357 22 755 214

Sverige
JANSSEN-CILAG AB
Tel: +46 8 626 50 00

Latvija
Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o. filiāle Latvijā
Tel: +371 678 93561

United Kingdom
JANSSEN-CILAG Ltd.
Tel: +44 1494 567 444

Lietuva
UAB „Johnson & Johnson“
Tel: +370 5 278 68 88

This leaflet was last revised in MM/YYYY

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only
Each vial is for single use only.
Doribax is reconstituted and then further diluted prior to infusion.

Preparation of 500 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 500 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 500 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing 

100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution. Infuse all of this solution to 
administer a 500 mg dose of doripenem.

Preparation of 250 mg dose of solution for infusion using the 500 mg vial
1. Add 10 ml of sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 

injection to the 500 mg vial and shake it to form a suspension.
2. Inspect the suspension visually for foreign matter. Note: the suspension is not for direct 

infusion.
3. Withdraw the suspension using a syringe and needle and add it to an infusion bag containing 

100 ml of either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or dextrose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for injection and mix to complete dissolution.

4. Remove 55 ml of this solution from the infusion bag and discard. Infuse all of the remaining 
solution to administer a 250 mg dose of doripenem.

Doribax solutions for infusion range from clear, colourless solutions to solutions that are clear and 
slightly yellow. Variations in colour within this range do not affect the potency of the product.

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Storage of reconstituted solutions
Upon reconstitution with sterile water for injections or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for 
injection, Doribax suspension in the vial may be held for up to 1 hour below 30C prior to transfer and 
dilution in the infusion bag.

Following dilution in the infusion bag, Doribax infusions stored at room temperature or under 
refrigeration should be completed according to the times in the following table:

Time by which reconstitution, dilution and infusion must be completed for Doribax infusions 
solutions
Infusion solution Solution stored at 

room temperature
Solution stored in a 

refrigerator 
(2C-8C)

sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection 12 hours 72 hours*
+ dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection 4 hours 24 hours*
* Once removed from the refrigerator, infusions should be completed within the room temperature stability time, 

provided the total refrigeration time, time to reach room temperature and infusion time does not exceed refrigeration 
stability time.

+
Dextrose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection should not be used for infusion durations greater than 1 hour.

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for the times and solutions shown in the 
above table.

From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used 
immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and 
would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2C-8C, unless reconstitution/dilution has taken place 
in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET