Meropenem

• A ß-lactam antibiotic: carbapenem, similar to imipenem.

• Bactericidal

• Usual adult dose: 500mg – 1g tds IV

• Preferred carbapenem if renal impairment. Dosage reduction necessary.

• Very broad spectrum predisposes to candida and other multi-resistant organisms.

• No oral preparation.

• Penetrates into most tissues and fluids including cerebrospinal fluid.

• Less likely to cause neurotoxicity (fitting) than imipenem.

Main indications:

• Microbiology advice – restricted agent.

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)

• Haemolytic streptococci

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Enterococcus faecalis (amoxicillin-sensitive)

• Listeria monocytogenes

• Neisseira meningitidis

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Escherichia coli

• Klebsiella spp

• Other Coliforms
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Anaerobes

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA

• Staphylococcus epidermidis

• Enterococcus faecium (amoxicillin-resistant)

• Candida and other fungal pathogens

Page last edited: 05/10/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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