Meropenem(mare oh pen’ ehm)
Merrem IV
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug class
Antibiotic (carbapenem)
Therapeutic Actions
Bactericidal: Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall and causes cell death in susceptible cells.
Indications
Susceptible intra-abdominal infections caused by viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Peptostreptococcus
Bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis in pediatric patients 3 mo and older
Treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (beta-lactamase and non–beta-lactamase–producing methicillin-susceptible isolates only), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, viridans group streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis (excluding vancomycin-resistant isolates), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus species
Unlabeled uses: Community-acquired pneumonia, therapy for patients with febrile neutropenia, nosocomial pneumonia, catheter-related bloodstream infections
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to cephalosporins, penicillins, beta-lactams; lactation.
Use cautiously with CNS disorders, seizures, renal or hepatic impairment, pregnancy.
Available Forms
Powder for injection—500 mg, 1 g
Dosages
Adults
Meningitis, intra-abdominal infections: 1–2 g IV every 8 hr.
Skin and skin structure infections: 500 mg IV every 8 hr.
Pediatric patients 3 mo and older
Intra-abdominal infections: If less than 50 kg, 20 mg/kg IV every 8 hr. If more than 50 kg, 1 g IV every 8 hr.
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