see also:

• antibiotics
• Tazocin (piperacillin + tazobactam)

• a carbapenem broad spectrum antibiotic reserved for use in serious infections

• HS to Beta-lactam antibiotics (incl carbapenem antibiotics, penicillins)

• critically ill patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections (may develop resistance, repeat sensitivity testing recommended);
• GI disease history (esp colitis);
• hepatic (monitor)
• renal (ClCr < 51 mL/min) impairment; peritoneal dialysis;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• infants < 3 mths (not recommended)

• Admin every 8 hrs by IVI over 5 min or IV infusion over 15-30 min.
• IVI: reconstitute with water for inj 10 mL/meropenem 500 mg;
• IV infusion: reconstitute with compatible infusion fluid (NaCl 0.9%, glucose 5% or 10%, glucose 5% with Na bicarbonate 0.02%, NaCl 0.9% with glucose 5%, glucose 5% with KCl 0.15%, mannitol 2.5% or 10%, Normosol-M in glucose 5%), may further dilute to 50-200 mL.

• usual dose: 500 mg-1 g;
• febrile neutropenia: 1 g;
• meningitis: 2 g.
• renal impairment (adults, based on unit doses of 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g).
  • ClCr 26-50 mL/min: 1 unit dose every 12 hrs;
  • ClCr 10-25 mL/min: 1/2 unit dose every 12 hrs;
  • ClCr < 10 mL/min: 1/2 unit dose every 24 hrs.
  • Haemodialysis: admin after dialysis

• usual dose: 10-40 mg/kg;
• febrile neutropenia: 20 mg/kg;
• meningitis: 40 mg/kg.

• injection site reaction eg inflammation, thrombophlebitis, pain;
• GI upset;
• blood dyscrasia, esp reversible thrombocythaemia;
• raised LFTs;
• pseudomembranous colitis;
• hypersensitivity incl rash, severe skin reaction, angioedema, anaphylaxis;
• CNS disturbance eg headache, paraesthesia;
• oral, vaginal candidiasis;
• convulsion (rare); others, see full PI

• Probenecid; valproic acid, Na valproate (avoid);
• Coombs' test;
• do not admix with other drugs