Faropenem sodium is an ultra broad-spectrum β-lactam of the penem antibiotic class. It has been shown to be β-lactamase resistant and is especially effective against anaerobic bacteria responsible for oral infections, but targets a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Faropenem sodium is freely soluble in water.
β-lactams inhibit the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links within bacterial cell walls by targeting penicillin-binding proteins or PBPs. Consequently, the bacterial cell wall becomes weak and cytolysis occurs. Cephalosporins are less susceptible to β-lactamases than the penicillin β-lactam antibiotics.