Meroject IV Injection or Infusion 500 mg vial

Meropenem is indicated for treatment in adults and children for the following infections caused by single or multiple bacteria sensitive to Meropenem.

• Pneumonia and Nosocomial Pneumonia
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Intra-abdominal Infections
• Gynaecological Infections, such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections
• Meningitis
• Septicaemia
• Pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis
• Empiric treatment for presumed infections in patients with febrile neutropenia.

Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic for parenteral use . It exerts its bactericidal action by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis. It penetrates bacterial cell walls, its high level of stability to all serine beta-lactamases and its marked affinity for the Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs.). It shows potent bactericidal activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

The dosage and duration of therapy shall be established depending on type, severity of infection and the condition of the patient. The recommended daily dosage is as follows-

Adults:

• The usual dose is 500 mg to 1 gm by intravenous administration every 8 hours.
• Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gynaecological infections such as endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, skin and skin structure infections: 500 mg IV every 8 hours.
• Nosocomial pneumonias, peritonitis, presumed infections in neutropenic patients and septicaemia: 1 g IV every 8 hours.
• Intra-abdominal infections: 500 mg to 1 gm every 8 hours.
• Cystic fibrosis: Upto 2 gm every 8 hours.
• Meningitis: 2 gm IV every 8 hours.

Children:

• 3 months to 12 years: 10 to 40 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours depending on type and severity of infection, susceptibility of the pathogens and the condition of the patient.
• Intra-abdominal infections: 20 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• Cystic fibrosis (4-18 years): 25-40 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• Meningitis: 40 mg/kg IV every 8 hours.
• Febrile neutropenia: 20 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• Children over 50 kg weight: use adult dosage.
• There is no experience in children with hepatic or renal impairment.

Meropenem should be administered by intravenous Infusion over approximately 15-30 minutes or as intravenous bolus (5 to 20 ml) over approximately 3-5 minutes

Probenecid competes with Meropenem for active tubular secretion and thus inhibits the renal excretion, with the effect of increasing the elimination half-life and plasma concentration of meropenem. Meropenem may reduce serum valproic acid levels. Sub therapeutic levels may be reached in some patients.

Meropenem is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to this product.

Meropenem is generally well tolerated. Side effects like inflammation, thrombophlebitis, pain at the site of injection, skin reactions like rash, pruritus, urticaria, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache may occur.