Meropenem

Other Anti-infective Preps · Carbapenem

Indications

Pneumonia, UTI, intra-abdominal, gynaecological, skin and soft tissue infection, meningitis, septicaemia, febrile neutropenia.

Dosage

Adults: 500 mg-1 gm by IV bolus inj over 5 min or by IV infusion over 15-30 min every 8 hr. Meningitis: 2 gm every 8 hr. Children: Over 3 mth, <FONT color=#000000>10- 20 mg/kg by IV bolus inj over 5 min or by IV infusion over 15- 30 min every 8 hr. Meningitis: <FONT color=#000000>40 mg/kg every 8 hr. Complicated Intra-abdominal infections: Infants<3 months (Dose based on Gestational Age (GA) and Postnatal Age (PNA): <32 wks GA: PNA <2 wks: 20 mg/kg IV every 12 hrs. PNA =2 wks: 20 mg/kg IV every 8 hrs. =32 wks GA: PNA <2 wks: 20 mg/kg IV every 8 hrs. PNA =2 wks: 30 mg/kg IV every 8 hrs. Infuse IV over 30 mins.

Administration

Dilute in 50-200 mL infusion fluid & give over 15-30 min. Doses of 1 gm also may be administered as an IV bolus injection (5-20 mL) over approx 3-5 min. Compatibility: Stable in D5W, D10W or NS. Y-site administration: Drug to Drug IV Compatibility: Calcium gluconate, cimetidine, dexamethasone, digoxin, diltiazem, diphenhydramine, dobutamine, dopamine, enalapril, fluconazole, furosemide, gentamicin, heparin, hydromorphone, insulin regular, linezolid, lorazepam, magnesium sulphate, metoclopramide, milrinone, morphine, norepinephrine, ranitidine, vancomycin, vasopressin. Drug to Drug IV Incompatibility: Acyclovir, amphotericin B, diazepam, metronidazole, ondansetron. When admixed: Incompatible with amphotericin B, metronidazole. Stability: Store dry powder at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F). Freshly prepared solutions should be used whenever possible. Reconstituted solutions are stable at 15°C-25°C…

Adverse Effects

Rash, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, candidiasis, pseudomembranous colitis, pruritus, inflammation, altered LFTs, haematological reactions.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to other B-lactam antibiotics. Precautions: Hepatic or renal impairment, history of colitis.

Interactions

Other nephrotoxic drugs, probenecid, sodium valproate, warfarin, drugs that inhibit peristalsis.

Advice to Patient

This medication is administered by infusion. Contact prescriber if there is redness/burning/pain/swelling at infusion site or if there is severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, headache, sores in mouth, confusion, agitation, delirium. Watery or bloody stools can occur 2 or more months after therapy and can be serious, requiring immediate treatment. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: Neonates and Infants =3 mths: Median: 2.7 hrs. Infants and Children 3 mths-2 yrs: 1.5 hrs. Children 2-12 yrs and Adults: 1 hr. Time to peak: Tissue: Approx. 1 hr following infusion except in bile, lung, and muscle; CSF: 2-3 hrs with inflamed meninges. Excretion: Urine (approx. 70% as unchanged drug, approx. 28% inactive metabolite). Faeces (2%).

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.