Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic, which displaying a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Target: Antibacterial Meropenem, a new parenteral carbapenem demonstrated increased activity as compared to imipenem against 336 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 119 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, and 110 strains of H. Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin demonstrated activity superior to that of both carbapenems while the activity of ceftazidime was similar to that of meropenem [1]. Meropenem, like imipenem and various experimental penems, may overcome the resistance problems presented by Class I beta-lactamases [2]. MEROPENEM was rapidly penetrated to the pleural effusion and was retained for a more prolonged time in the pleural effusion than in the blood of patients with accumulated pleural effusion, and it suggested the usefulness of MEROPENEM in antibacterial therapy for patients with pleurisy causing accumulation of pleural effusion [3]. Clinical indications: Appendicitis; Bacterial infection; Bacterial meningitis; Bacterial pneumonia; Bacterial respiratory tract infection; Bacterial skin infection; Bacterial urinary tract infection; Bacteroides fragilis infection; Bacteroides infection; Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron infection; Complicated skin and skin structure infection FDA Approved Date: July 1996 Toxicity: In mice and rats, large intravenous doses of meropenem (2200-4000 mg/kg) have been associated with ataxia, dyspnea, convulsions, and mortalities.

• [1]. Slaney, L., et al., In-vitro activity of meropenem against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus influenzae and H. ducreyi from Canada and Kenya. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989. 24 Suppl A: p. 183-6.

  [2]. Yang, Y.J. and D.M. Livermore, Interactions of meropenem with class I chromosomal beta-lactamases. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989. 24 Suppl A: p. 207-17.

  [3]. Makino, J., et al., [Pharmacokinetic study of penetration of meropenem into pleural effusion in patients with pleurisy]. Jpn J Antibiot, 2002. 55(1): p. 77-88.