Meropenem

Type of Medication: Antibiotic

Indications: Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia respiratory infections. Also active against H.influenza and S.aureus.

Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdo pain, disturbance in LFTs, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, eosinophilia, neutropenia, headaches, paraesthesia, hypersensitivity reaction s including rash, pruritus , urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis; also reported convulsions, phlebitis,oral and vaginal candidiasis.

Route of administration: Adult (Intravenous)

Dose:2 g tds. (Some patients can only tolerate 1 gm tds usually due to nausea)

Administration: Reconstitute 2 gms in 20 ml water for injection and give as a bolus over 5 minutes or dilute with saline or 5% glucose to 50-200 ml and infuse over 15-30 minutes.

Route of administration: Adult (nebulised)

Dose 250 mg bd.

Administration: Reconstitute vial of 500 mg meropenem in 10 ml water for injection and use 5 ml = 250 mg (50 mg/ml). Store vial in fridge for next dose.

Route of administration: Paediatric (Intravenous)

Dose:120 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses. Max 2 g tds

Administration: 250 mg reconstituted with 5 ml of WFI and administered over at least 5 minutes or given as an infusion.

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Interacting drug: probenecid – Excretion of meropenem reduced by probenecid. Avoid concomitant use.

Interacting drug: valproate – reduces plasma concentration of valproate may lead to subtherapeutic valproate levels.