Individual generic drug information

meropenem

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

MEROPENEM TRIHYDRATE

Reference record: Meropenem
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 571
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Indications And Dose

Aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections | Hospital-acquired septicaemia ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 0.5–1 g every 8 hours Exacerbations of chronic lower respiratory-tract infection in cystic fibrosis ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 2 g every 8 hours Meningitis ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 2 g every 8 hours Endocarditis (in combination with another antibacterial) ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 2 g every 8 hours l UNLICENSED USE Not licensed for use in endocarditis.

Source page 571

Allergy And Cross Sensitivity

Avoid if history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction to beta-lactam antibacterials. Use with caution in patients with sensitivity to beta- lactam antibacterials.

Source page 571

Safety

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: carbapenems

Source page 571

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Abdominal pain. diarrhoea. headache. inﬂammation. nausea. pain. skin reactions. thrombocytosis. vomiting ▶Uncommon Agranulocytosis. antibiotic associated colitis. eosinophilia. haemolytic anaemia. increased risk of infection. leucopenia. neutropenia. paraesthesia. severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). thrombocytopenia. thrombophlebitis ▶Rare or very rare Seizure

Source page 571

Pregnancy

Use only if potential beneﬁt outweighs risk— no information available.

Source page 571

Breast Feeding

Unlikely to be absorbed (however, manufacturer advises avoid).

Source page 571

Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Use normal dose every 12 hours if eGFR 26–50 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Use half normal dose every 12 hours if eGFR 10–25 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Use half normal dose every 24 hours if eGFR less than 10 mL/minute/1.73 m2.

Source page 571

Monitoring Requirements

Manufacturer advises monitor liver function—risk of hepatotoxicity. l EFFECT ON LABORATORY TESTS Positive Coombs’ test.

Source page 571

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Directions For Administration

Intravenous injection to be administered over 5 minutes. For intravenous infusion (Meronem ®), give intermittently in Glucose 5% or Sodium chloride 0.9%. Dilute dose in infusion ﬂuid to a ﬁnal concentration of 1–20 mg/mL; give over 15–30 minutes.

Source page 571

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder for solution for injection ELECTROLYTES: May contain Sodium ▶Meropenem (Non-proprietary) Meropenem (as Meropenem trihydrate) 500 mg Meropenem Infection 500mg powder for solution for injection vials | 10 vial P £103.14 DT = £93.30 (Hospital only) | 10 vial P £90.00–£103.14 DT = £93.30 Meropenem (as Meropenem trihydrate) 1 gram Meropenem 1g powder for solution for injection vials | 10 vial P £186.70–£206.30 DT = £186.70 | 10 vial P £206.28 DT = £186.70 (Hospital only) ▶Meronem (Pfizer Ltd) Meropenem (as Meropenem trihydrate) 500 mg Meronem 500mg powder for solution for injection vials | 10 vial P £103.14 DT = £93.30 Meropenem (as Meropenem trihydrate) 1 gram Meronem 1g powder for solution for injection vials | 10 vial P £206.28 DT = £186.70

Source page 571

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

0.5–1 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.

Individual generic drug information

meropenem

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

MEROPENEM TRIHYDRATE

Reference record: Meropenem
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 571
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Indications And Dose

Source page 571

Allergy And Cross Sensitivity

Avoid if history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction to beta-lactam antibacterials. Use with caution in patients with sensitivity to beta- lactam antibacterials.

Source page 571

Safety

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: carbapenems

Source page 571

Side Effects

Source page 571

Pregnancy

Use only if potential beneﬁt outweighs risk— no information available.

Source page 571

Breast Feeding

Unlikely to be absorbed (however, manufacturer advises avoid).

Source page 571

Renal Impairment

Source page 571

Monitoring Requirements

Manufacturer advises monitor liver function—risk of hepatotoxicity. l EFFECT ON LABORATORY TESTS Positive Coombs’ test.

Source page 571

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Meropenem only.

Directions For Administration

Source page 571

Medicinal Forms

Source page 571

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

0.5–1 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

2 g every 8 hours

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 571

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.