how long is a course of meropenem

by Prof. Jeff Hettinger 5 min read

The recommended duration of therapy is 7 days for Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae, 10 to 14 days for Streptococcus pneumoniae, and at least 3 weeks for gram-negative bacilli. Limited data are available; 40 mg/kg/dose IV every 8 or 12 hours is the most commonly reported dosage.

Precautions

How long do you run meropenem?

Dose to be administered every 8 hours Meropenem is usually given by intravenous infusion over approximately 15 to 30 minutes (see section 6.2, 6.3 and 6.6). Alternatively, doses up to 1 g can be given as an intravenous bolus injection over approximately 5 minutes.

Can meropenem be given for 14 days?

Patients were allocated randomly to treatment with meropenem or with imipenem/cilastatin, each administered as a 20–30-min, 500-mg intravenous infusion every 8 h for a minimum of 3 days (during which hospitalization was required) and a maximum of 14 days.

When should I stop taking meropenem?

Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine. Some patients may develop tremors or seizures while receiving this medicine.

Is meropenem a strong antibiotic?

Meropenem (Merrem) is considered one of the stronger antibiotics. It works against many types of bacteria and treats severe or complicated infections when other antibiotics may not be enough.

What is course of meropenem?

Meropenem injection is used to treat skin and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria and meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) in adults and children 3 months of age and older. Meropenem injection is in a class of medications called antibiotics.

How long is meropenem given for UTI?

Dosing. Administration of MER/VAB is 4 g (meropenem 2 g/vaborbactam 2 g) every 8 hours IV over 3 hours for up to 14 days for the treatment of cUTI.

What does meropenem do to your body?

Meropenem is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is known as a carbapenem-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Which patients should avoid using meropenem?

Who should not take Meropenem Vial?diarrhea from an infection with Clostridium difficile bacteria.decreased blood platelets.lesion of the brain.seizures.chronic kidney disease stage 4 (severe)chronic kidney disease stage 5 (failure)kidney disease with likely reduction in kidney function.

Does meropenem cause kidney damage?

In summary, meropenem has an excellent safety profile and is therefore suitable for use in elderly and/or renally impaired patients.

What type of bacteria does meropenem treat?

Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic that possesses excellent activity against both aerobic Gram-positive and aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, and also covers common anaerobes.

What is the strongest antibiotic for infection?

The world's last line of defense against disease-causing bacteria just got a new warrior: vancomycin 3.0. Its predecessor—vancomycin 1.0—has been used since 1958 to combat dangerous infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Does meropenem cause weakness?

Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody; a seizure (convulsions);

How often can you give meropenem?

Adult Patients. The recommended dose of MERREM IV is 500 mg given every 8 hours for skin and skin structure infections and 1 gram given every 8 hours for intra-abdominal infections.

Does meropenem affect kidney?

In summary, meropenem has an excellent safety profile and is therefore suitable for use in elderly and/or renally impaired patients.

Can meropenem be given twice daily?

The pharmacodynamic properties of meropenem indicate that twice-daily dosing may be more appropriate than the recommended 8-hourly dosing schedule, a theory supported by in vitro models comparing the bactericidal effect of a simulation of 3 g/day given as three doses, two doses or one dose.

Why meropenem is given for 3 hours?

Conclusions: Compared with conventional regime of 30-minute infusion of meropenem in the treatment of HAP in ICU patients, the clinical efficacy can be improved, the severity of the disease can be reduced, the recovery of organ failure and long-term prognosis can be improved with 3 hour extended infusion of meropenem.

Is meropenem (Merrem) a strong antibiotic?

Meropenem (Merrem) is considered one of the stronger antibiotics. It works against many types of bacteria and treats severe or complicated infectio...

What type of antibiotic is meropenem (Merrem)?

Meropenem (Merrem) is a carbapenem, which is a group of antibiotics that is distantly related to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. Because...

How many days should meropenem (Merrem) be given?

Meropenem (Merrem) is usually used for more serious infections and typically needs to be used for a longer period of time. Your provider will deter...

Can meropenem (Merrem) treat a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Even though it is not FDA-approved for this reason, meropenem (Merrem) can be used for UTIs, including infection of the bladder (cystitis). Meropen...

Is meropenem (Merrem) a penicillin?

Meropenem (Merrem) is a carbapenem, which is a group of antibiotics related to penicillin. The structures of these antibiotics have some similariti...

How long does meropenem last?

Meropenem for injection vials re-constituted with sterile Water for Injection for bolus administration (up to 50 mg/mL of Meropenem for injection) may be stored for up to 3 hours at up to 25 °C (77°F) or for 13 hours at up to 5°C (41°F).

How long can you keep a solution of meropenem?

Solutions prepared for infusion (Meropenem for injection concentrations ranging from 1 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL) re-constituted with Sodium Chloride Injection 0.9% may be stored for 1 hour at up to 25°C (77°F) or 15 hours at up to 5°C (41°F).

How many patients were treated with Meropenem?

During clinical investigations, 2904 immunocompetent adult patients were treated for non-CNS infections with Meropenem for Injection, USP (500 mg or 1 gram every 8 hours). Deaths in 5 patients were assessed as possibly related to Meropenem; 36 (1.2%) patients had Meropenem discontinued because of adverse events. Many patients in these trials were severely ill and had multiple background diseases, physiological impairments and were receiving multiple other drug therapies. In the seriously ill patient population, it was not possible to determine the relationship between observed adverse events and therapy with Meropenem for Injection, USP.

Why is meropenem used for injection?

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Meropenem for injection and other antibacterial drugs, Meropenem for injection should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

What is meropenem bactericidal activity?

The bactericidal activity of Meropenem results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Meropenem readily penetrates the cell wall of most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to bind penicillin-binding-protein (PBP) targets. Meropenem binds to PBPs 2, 3 and 4 of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and PBPs 1, 2 and 4 of Staphylococcus aureus. Bactericidal concentrations (defined as a 3 log 10 reduction in cell counts within 12 hours to 24 hours) are typically 1to 2 times the bacteriostatic concentrations of Meropenem, with the exception of Listeria monocytogenes, against which lethal activity is not observed.

How old is a child when taking meropenem?

For pediatric patients (with normal renal function) less than 3 months of age, with complicated intra-abdominal infections, the Meropenem for Injection, USP dose is based on gestational age (GA) and postnatal age (PNA). See dosing table 3 below. Meropenem for Injection, USP should be given as intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.

How long does it take to inject meropenem?

Administer Meropenem for Injection, USP as an intravenous infusion over approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes or as an intravenous bolus injection (5 mL to 20 mL) over approximately 3 minutes to 5 minutes.

When was meropenem first used?

Meropenem was patented in 1983. It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1996. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. The World Health Organization classifies meropenem as critically important for human medicine.

What is meropenem used for?

Meropenem, sold under the brandname Merrem among others, is an intravenous β-lactam antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Some of these include meningitis, intra-abdominal infection, pneumonia, sepsis, and anthrax.

When did Meropenem and Vaborbactam get approved?

In 2017 the FDA granted approval for the combination of meropenem and vaborbactam to treat adults with complicated urinary tract infections.

Is meropenem a carbapenem?

It is in the carbapenem family of medications. Meropenem usually results in bacterial death through blocking their ability to make a cell wall. It is more resistant to breakdown by β-lactamase producing bacteria. Meropenem was patented in 1983. It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1996.

Is meropenem effective in bolus?

As with other ß-lactams antibiotics, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the amount of time during the dos ing interval that the meropenem concentration is above the minimum inhibitory concentration for the bacteria causing the infection . For ß-lactams, including meropenem, prolonged intravenous administration is associated with lower mortality than bolus intravenous infusion in persons with whose infections are severe, or caused by bacteria that are less sensitive to meropenem, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Is meropenem good for bacteria?

The overall spectrum is similar to that of imipenem, although meropenem is more active against Enterobacteriaceae and less active against Gram- positive bacteria. It works against extended-spectrum β-lactamases, but may be more susceptible to metallo-β-lactamases.

Is meropenem safe for pregnancy?

Those who are allergic to other β-lactam antibiotics are more likely to be allergic to meropenem as well. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. It is in the carbapenem family of medications.

How to store meropenem?

Store meropenem (Merrem) as instructed. Depending on how it's prepared, it might need to be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

What are the risks and warnings for meropenem (Merrem)?

Meropenem (Merrem) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options

Can you take Merrem with valproic acid?

If you have a history of seizures or are on any medication with valproic acid or divalproex sodium, talk with your provider before starting meropenem (Merrem).

Can you take Merrem if you are allergic to penicillin?

Before taking meropenem (Merrem) tell your provider if you are allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins, or any other antibiotics - serious allergic reactions can happen if you have a history of allergies to these medications.

Is meropenem a carbapenem?

Meropenem (Merrem) is a carbapenem, which is a group of antibiotics that is distantly related to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. Because of this, you should let your provider know if you are allergic to these other types of antibiotics before starting meropenem (Merrem). You could have a similar allergic reaction to this medication.

Is Meropenem a strong antibiotic?

Is meropenem (Merrem) a strong antibiotic? Meropenem (Merrem) is considered one of the stronger antibiotics. It works against many types of bacteria and treats severe or complicated infections when other antibiotics may not be enough. Keep in mind that "stronger" antibiotics are not always the best choice.

Does Merrem cause diarrhea?

Like all antibiotics, meropenem (Merrem) can cause diarrhea because it gets rid of the good bacteria in your gut. In rare cases, this diarrhea is caused by a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (commonly called C. diff) that is usually kept under control by your gut bacteria. C. diff diarrhea is very contagious and can lead to life-threatening dehydration. If you have C. diff, be sure to wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds frequently and try to use a different bathroom from anyone living with you until you are better. Taking probiotic supplements while using meropenem (Merrem) might help prevent this problem.

How long does meropenem stay in water?

Solutions of Meropenem (Meropenem concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 mg/mL) in Water for Injection or Sodium Chloride Injection 0.9% (for up to 4 hours) or in Dextrose Injection 5% (for up to 2 hours) at controlled room temperatures 15-25 °C (59-77 °F) are stable in plastic tubing and volume control devices of common intravenous infusion sets. Solutions of Meropenem (Meropenem concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 mg/mL) in Water for Injection or Sodium Chloride Injection 0.9% (for up to 48 hours) or in Dextrose Injection 5% (for up to 6 hours) are stable at 4 °C (39 °F) in plastic syringes.

Where is meropenem distributed?

Meropenem is distributed into most body tissues and fluids, including bronchial mucosa, lung, bile, gynecologic tissue (endometrium, myometrium, ovary, cervix, fallopian tube), muscle, heart valves, skin, interstitial and peritoneal fluid, and CSF. Plasma protein binding is approximately 2%. The drug is partially metabolized to at least one microbiologically inactive metabolite. About 70% of an IV dose is eliminated in urine as unchanged drug by tubular secretion and glomerular filtration.

How to determine meropenem concentration?

Concentration determination of meropenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, using a capillary electrophoresis method by direct injection of serum samples without any pretreatment is described herein. Sodium tetraborate (25 mM)- sodium hydroxide (0.1 M) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (90 mM) is used as a run buffer (pH 10.0). Meropenem is detected at its absorption maximum at 297 nm. Migration time of meropenem is approximately 7.2 min, and the detection limit of the assay is 2.0 mg/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.0. The relative standard deviations of intra- and interassay accuracies are 3.43-8.87% and 4.28-8.54%, respectively, at a nominal concentration of 6.3-100.0 mg/L, and their recovery rates are 94-111% and 92-105%, respectively.

What is meropenem approved for?

The Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations identifies currently marketed prescription drug products, including meropenem, approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by FDA under sections 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Is meropenem soluble in acetone?

The solution varies from colorless to yellow depending on the concentration. The pH of freshly constituted solutions is between 7.3 and 8.3. Meropenem is soluble in 5% monobasic potassium phosphate solution ... and practically insoluble in acetone or ether. / Meropenem trihydrate /

Can meropenem be frozen?

. Solutions of intravenous Meropenem should not be frozen.

Is meropenem anhydrous or anhydrous?

Meropenem Anhydrous is the anhydrous form of meropenem, a broad-spectrum carbapenem with antibacterial properties, synthetic Meropenem inhibits cell wall synthesis in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It penetrates cell walls and binds to penicillin -binding protein targets.

What is meropenem used for?

Meropenem: a review of its use in the treatment of serious bacterial infections. Meropenem (Merrem, Meronem) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent of the carbapenem family, indicated as empirical therapy prior to the identification of causative organisms, or for disease caused by single or multiple susceptible bacteria in both adults ...

Does meropenem work against ESBL?

Meropenem has a broad spectrum of in vitro activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Is meropenem a carbapenem?

Meropenem is well tolerated and has the advantage of being suitable for administration as an intravenous bolus or infusion. Its low propensity for inducing seizures means that it is suitable for treating bacterial meningitis and is the only carbapenem approved in this indication.

Is meropenem the same as cefotaxime?

Meropenem has also shown similar efficacy to cefotaxime in paediatric and adult patients with bacterial meningitis, and to ceftazidime when both agents were administered with or without tobramycin in patients with cystic fibrosis experiencing acute pulmonary exacerbations.

How long does a needle stay in place for a syringe?

It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will need to stay in place for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

Does meropenem work for colds?

Meropenem injection is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Can meropenem be given to elderly?

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of meropenem injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving meropenem injection.

Can meropenem cause anaphylaxis?

Meropenem may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

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Indications and Usage For Meropenem

Meropenem is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.

May Treat: Peritonitis · Meningococcal meningitis · Bacteroides complicated appendicitis · Bacteroides peritonitis · E. coli complicated appendicitis and more

Brand Names: Merrem

Drug Class: Carbapenem Antibiotics (Thienamycins)

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

May Treat: Peritonitis · Meningococcal meningitis · Bacteroides complicated appendicitis · Bacteroides peritonitis · E. coli complicated appendicitis and more

Brand Names: Merrem

Drug Class: Carbapenem Antibiotics (Thienamycins)

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

Lactation: Consult a doctor before using

Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution

Precautions

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Tell your pharmacist & Dr if you have allergies
  • Prepare carefully as you have been shown

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Tell your pharmacist & Dr if you have allergies
  • Prepare carefully as you have been shown
  • Space doses evenly throughout the day.
  • Success is dependent on completing therapy course
  • Report severe diarrhea or abdominal pain to doctor.
  • Watch for oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections.
  • Use caution when driving or operating machinery

Meropenem Dosage and Administration

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Contraindications

Warnings and Precautions

Adverse Reactions

  • Adult Patients
    The recommended dose of Meropenem for Injection, USP is 500 mg given every 8 hours for skin and skin structure infections and 1 gram given every 8 hours for intra-abdominal infections. When treating complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by P. aeruginosa, a dose of 1 gra…
  • Use in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment
    Dosage should be reduced in patients with creatinine clearance of 50 mL/min or less. (See dosing tablebelow.) When only serum creatinine is available, the following formula (Cockcroft and Gault equation)1may be used to estimate creatinine clearance. Males: Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) …
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Drug Interactions

  • Single dose clear glass vials of Meropenem for Injection, USP containing 500 mg or 1 gram (as the trihydrate blended with anhydrous sodium carbonate for re-constitution) of sterile Meropenem powder.
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Use in Specific Populations

  • Meropenem for Injection, USP is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this product or to other drugs in the same class or in patients who have demonstrated anaphylactic reactions to beta (β)-lactams.
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Overdosage

  • Hypersensitivity Reactions
    Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving therapy with β-lactams. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been reports of individuals with a hi…
  • Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions
    Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), erythema multiforme (EM) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been r…
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Meropenem Description

  • The following are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: 1. Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] 2. Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] 3. Seizure Potential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] 4. Risk of Breakthrough Seizures Due to Drug Interaction with Valproic Acid [see Warnings and Precauti…
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Overview

  • Probenecid
    Probenecid competes with Meropenem for active tubular secretion, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of Meropenem. Co-administration of probenecid with Meropenem is not recommended.
  • Valproic Acid
    Case reports in the literature have shown that co-administration of carbapenems, including Meropenem, to patients receiving valproic acid or divalproex sodium results in a reduction in valproic acid concentrations. The valproic acid concentrations may drop below the therapeutic r…
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Medical uses

  • Pregnancy
    Risk Summary There are insufficient human data to establish whether there is a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriages with Meropenem in pregnant women. No fetal toxicity or malformations were observed in pregnant rats and Cynomolgus monkeys administered intrav…
  • Lactation
    Risk Summary Meropenem has been reported to be excreted in human milk. No information is available on the effects of Meropenem on the breast-fed child or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother…
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Side effects

  • In mice and rats, large intravenous doses of Meropenem (2200 mg/kg to 4000 mg/kg) have been associated with ataxia, dyspnea, convulsions, and mortalities. Intentional overdosing of Meropenem for Injection, USP is unlikely, although accidental overdosing might occur if large doses are given to patients with reduced renal function. The largest dose of Meropenem admini…
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Interactions

  • Meropenem for Injection, USP is a sterile, pyrogen-free, synthetic, carbapenem antibacterial for intravenous administration. It is (4R,5S,6S)-3- [[(3S,5S)-5-(Dimethylcarbamoyl)-3-pyrrolidinyl]thio]-6- [(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid trihydrate. Its empirical formula is C17H25N3O5S∙3H2O with a molecular weight of 437.52. Its structural fo…
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Pharmacology

Meropenem, sold under the brand names Merrem and Merobio among others, is an intravenous β-lactam antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Some of these include meningitis, intra-abdominal infection, pneumonia, sepsis, and anthrax.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, headache, rash, a…

External links

The spectrum of action includes many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (including Pseudomonas) and anaerobic bacteria. The overall spectrum is similar to that of imipenem, although meropenem is more active against Enterobacteriaceae and less active against Gram-positive bacteria. It works against extended-spectrum β-lactamases, but may be more susceptible to metallo-β-lactamases. Meropenem is frequently given in the treatment of febrile neutropenia. …