What it does
Meropenem is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.
Commonly used for: bacterial infections, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections …
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Source: Pharmacy and Poisons Board · fetched 2026-01-28 19:57:18 · updated 2026-08-03 03:06:30
About this medicine
Meropenem is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.
What it treats
- bacterial infections
- sepsis
- pneumonia
- urinary tract infections
- intra-abdominal infections
How it works
Meropenem works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth, helping to eliminate infections.
Who it's for
It is for adults and children with severe bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: meropenam
Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of serious bacterial infections. It is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including many strains that are resistant to other antibiotics. Meropenem is often reserved for severe infections, such as those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, and is typically administered intravenously.
Indications
- Complicated intra-abdominal infections
- Complicated urinary tract infections
- Pneumonia, including hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Bacterial meningitis
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Febrile neutropenia
- Sepsis
Dosage
Children: Refer to the BNF for Children for dosing recommendations based on age and weight.
Adults: Refer to the BNF for specific dosing guidelines based on infection type and severity.
Mechanism of action
Meropenem works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, disrupting the transpeptidation process that is essential for cell wall integrity. This leads to cell lysis and death of the bacteria.
Pharmacodynamics
Meropenem exhibits time-dependent killing, meaning its efficacy is related to the time that the drug concentration remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the target pathogens. It has a wide spectrum of activity against various bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and many anaerobes. It is also stable against many beta-lactamases, which allows it to maintain activity against resistant strains.
Pharmacokinetics
Meropenem is administered intravenously and is rapidly distributed throughout the body. It has a volume of distribution of approximately 0.3 to 0.4 L/kg and is approximately 2% bound to plasma proteins. The elimination half-life is about 1 hour in patients with normal renal function. Meropenem is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine, and its clearance is significantly reduced in patients with renal impairment, necessitating dose adjustments in such populations.
Contra-indications
- Hypersensitivity to meropenem or other carbapenems
- Severe allergic reactions to any component of the formulation
Adverse effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
- Seizures
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea
Interactions
- Probenecid (may increase levels of meropenem)
- Valproic acid (meropenem may decrease the levels of valproic acid)
Precautions
- Caution in patients with a history of seizures
- Caution in patients with renal impairment
- Monitor for signs of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea
Pregnancy
Meropenem should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal studies have shown no teratogenic effects, but there is limited human data.
Breast-feeding
Meropenem is excreted in human milk, so caution should be exercised when administering to breastfeeding women.
Storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from light. Once reconstituted, it should be used immediately or stored in a refrigerator and used within 24 hours.
Formulations
- Injection, powder for solution for infusion 500 mg
- Injection, powder for solution for infusion 1 g
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.