Meropenem
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Stefano Giannoni [2]
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Overview
Meropenem is a Carbapenem that is FDA approved for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, intra-abdominal infections, bacterial meningitis (pediatric patients).. Common adverse reactions include {{{adverseReactions}}}.
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Skin and Skin Structure Infections
- Dosage: 500 mg IV every 8 hours.
Is indicated as a single agent therapy for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections due to:
- Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only)
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Streptococcus agalactiae
- Viridans group streptococci
- Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Escherichia coli
- Proteus mirabilis
- Bacteroides fragilis
- Peptostreptococcus species
Intra-abdominal Infections
- 1 g every 8 hours
Is indicated as a single agent therapy for the treatment of complicated appendicitis and peritonitis caused by:
- Viridans group streptococci
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Bacteroides fragilis
- B. thetaiotaomicron
- Peptostreptococcus species
Meropenem for injection (I.V.) should be administered by intravenous infusion over approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Doses of 1 g may also be administered as an intravenous bolus injection (5 to 20 mL) over approximately 3-5 minutes.
Use in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment
- Dosage should be reduced in patients with creatinine clearance of 50 mL/min or less.
- When only serum creatinine is available, the following formula (Cockcroft and Gault equation) may be used to estimate creatinine clearance.
There is inadequate information regarding the use of Meropenem for injection (I.V.) in patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Meropenem in adult patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Meropenem in adult patients.
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
Skin and Skin Structure Infections (Pediatric Patients ≥ 3 Months only)
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Meropenem in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Meropenem in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Contraindications in the drug label.
Warnings
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Warnings' in the drug label.
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Clinical Trials Experience in the drug label.
Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Postmarketing Experience in the drug label.
Drug Interactions
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Drug Interactions in the drug label.
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA):
There is no FDA guidance on usage of Meropenem in women who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Meropenem in women who are pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Meropenem during labor and delivery.
Nursing Mothers
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in women who are nursing.
Pediatric Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in pediatric settings.
Geriatic Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in geriatric settings.
Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem with respect to specific gender populations.
Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem with respect to specific racial populations.
Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in patients with hepatic impairment.
Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Meropenem in women of reproductive potentials and males.
Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Meropenem in patients who are immunocompromised.
Administration and Monitoring
Administration
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Administration in the drug label.
Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Monitoring in the drug label.
IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Meropenem and IV administrations.
Overdosage
There is limited information regarding Meropenem overdosage. If you suspect drug poisoning or overdose, please contact the National Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Pharmacology in the drug label.
Mechanism of Action
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Mechanism of Action in the drug label.
Structure
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Structure in the drug label.
Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Pharmacodynamics in the drug label.
Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.
Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.
Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Clinical Studies in the drug label.
How Supplied
There is limited information regarding Meropenem How Supplied in the drug label.
Storage
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Storage in the drug label.
Images
Drug Images
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Package and Label Display Panel
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Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Patient Counseling Information in the drug label.
Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Meropenem interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.
Brand Names
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Brand Names in the drug label.
Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Meropenem Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.
Drug Shortage Status
Price
References
The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [3]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sheng Shi, M.D. [4]
Overview
Meropenem is an ultra-broad spectrum injectable antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of infections, including meningitis and pneumonia. It is a beta-lactam and belongs to the subgroup of carbapenem, similar to imipenem and ertapenem. Meropenem gained FDA approval in July 1996. It penetrates well into many tissues and body fluids including the cerebrospinal fluid,bile, heart valves, lung, and peritoneal fluid.[1]
Category
Carbapenem
US Brand Names
MERREM®
FDA Package Insert
Description | Clinical Pharmacology | Microbiology | Indications and Usage | Contraindications | Warnings | Precautions | Adverse Reactions | Overdosage | Clinical Studies | Dosage and Administration | Compatibility, Reconstitution, and Stability | How Supplied | Labels and Packages
Mechanism of action
Meropenem is bactericidal except against Listeria monocytogenes where it is bacteriostatic. It inhibits bacterial wall synthesis like other beta-lactam antibiotics. In contrast to other beta-lactams, it is highly resistant to degradation by beta-lactamase or cephalosporinase. Resistance generally arises due to mutations in penicillin binding proteins, production of metallo-beta-lactamases, or resistance to diffusion across the bacterial outer membrane.[2] Unlike imipenem, it is stable to dehydropeptidase-1 and can therefore be given without cilastatin.