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Antibiotic (Carbapenem)

Meropenem

Brand names: Meronem

Meropenem is a broad-spectrum intravenous carbapenem antibacterial used for serious and hospital-acquired infections, including sepsis and intra-abdominal infection.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

US labelling (FDA)

Reference — US labelling, may differ from UK

500 mg every 8 hours by intravenous infusion over 15 to 30 minutes for complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) for adult patients. When treating infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a dose of 1 gram every 8 hours is recommended. ( 2.1 ) 1 gram every 8 hours by intravenous infusion over 15 minutes to 30 minutes for intra-abdominal infections for adult patients. ( 2.1 ) 1 gram every 8 hours by intravenous bolus injection (5 mL to 20 mL) over 3 minutes to 5 minutes for adult patients. ( 2.1 ) Dosage should be reduced in adult patients with renal impairment. ( 2.2 ) Recommended Meropenem for Injection, USP Dosage Schedule for Adult Patients with Renal Impairment …

Source: US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed), label dated 2024-07-10. Accessed 2026-06-12. US dosing and indications can differ from UK practice — use UK sources for prescribing decisions.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a beta-lactam that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins; it is stable against many beta-lactamases, giving broad activity.

Prescribing in practice

  • Reserve for serious infection and prescribe under local antimicrobial stewardship to limit carbapenem resistance.
  • Meropenem lowers plasma valproate levels and can cause loss of seizure control, so this combination is generally avoided.
  • It is renally cleared (dose reduction needed in renal impairment), seizures occur rarely, and cross-reactivity in penicillin allergy is low but possible.

Monitoring

Monitor renal function and clinical response; watch for neurological effects such as seizures, particularly in renal impairment or pre-existing CNS disease.

Counselling the patient

  • Report any twitching, confusion or seizures, and any rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.
  • Report severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea, which may occur during or after treatment.

Evidence & guidelines

A standard carbapenem for severe and resistant Gram-negative infection; use should follow local antimicrobial guidance to preserve activity.

Reference: PHE Carbapenem Guidance; MERINO trial; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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