Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for UCLA Health

Meropenem

Restricted
Restricted

C. diff Risk

Medium

Oral Bioavailability

NA

Approximate Cost

$$$

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Antibiogram Data

Dosing

Adult

1-2 g IV q8h

Renal - Adult

Pediatric

Restricted Use

Clinical deterioration on concurrent/recent antimicrobials or febrile neutropenia and/or overt sepsis in an immunocompromised patient.

General Information

Common Usage

Common Usage

Therapy of serious, often nosocomial infections involving resistant gram negative organisms

Drug Monitoring

Drug Monitoring

Laboratory

  • CBC, CMP weekly

Clinical

  • Hypersensitivity

  • GI effects

  • Seizures (rare)

Adverse Effects

Adverse Effects

  • Hypersensitivity

  • GI effects

  • C. difficile

  • Seizures (especially with high doses or doses not adjusted for renal function)

Major Interactions

Major Interactions

Valproic acid: Carbapenems decrease valproate levels and may decrease seizure threshold

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Antimicrobial class: Carbapenem

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 1 hour

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Moderate

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Urine penetration: Therapeutic