Tissue penetration by ertapenem, a parenteral carbapenem administered once daily, in suction-induced skin blister fluid in healthy young volunteers

The penetration of 1 g of intravenous ertapenem once daily for 3 days in suction-induced skin blisters was evaluated. Ten forearm blisters were formed (n = 12) 12 h prior to the last dose. Concentrations of ertapenem in blister fluid exceeded 4 mug/ml (the MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested are eliminated) for the entire dosing interval. The area under the concentration-time curve for 0 to 24 h ratio of blister fluid to plasma was 61% (90% confidence interval, 56, 65%) suggesting good blister penetration.