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Merrem I.V. (Meropenem) - Summary

 
 



MERREM I.V. SUMMARY

MERREM® I.V. (meropenem for injection) is a sterile, pyrogen-free, synthetic, broad-spectrum, carbapenem antibiotic for intravenous administration. It is (4R,5S,6S)-3-[[(3S,5S)-5-(Dimethylcarbamoyl)-3-pyrrolidinyl]thio] -6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid trihydrate.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of MERREM I.V. and other antibacterial drugs, MERREM I.V. should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

MERREM I.V. is indicated as single agent therapy for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms:

Complicated appendicitis and peritonitis caused by viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, and Peptostreptococcus species.

Bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae **/**, Haemophilus influenzae ((beta)-lactamase and non-(beta)-lactamase-producing strains), and Neisseria meningitidis.


**/** The efficacy of meropenem as monotherapy in the treatment of meningitis caused by penicillin nonsusceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae has not been established.

MERREM I.V. has been found to be effective in eliminating concurrent bacteremia in association with bacterial meningitis.
See all Merrem I.V. indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Merrem I.V. (Meropenem)

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of intravenous ciprofloxacin versus meropenem in the treatment of postoperative infection. [2011.10.19]
Therapeutic options for postoperative infection in gastrointestinal surgery are limited. To identify new treatment alternatives, the Japan Society for Surgical Infection conducted a multicenter prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of intravenous ciprofloxacin (CIP IV) and intravenous meropenem (MEM IV).

Comparison of 30-min and 3-h infusion regimens for imipenem/cilastatin and for meropenem evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. [2010.11]
Imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem are carbapenem antibiotics that are infused intravenously (IV) over 30 to 45 min...

Efficacy of ceftriaxone or meropenem as initial therapies in Whipple's disease. [2010.02]
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Whipple's disease is a chronic infection caused by the actinomycete Tropheryma whipplei. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of antimicrobials that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and to which T whipplei is susceptible... CONCLUSIONS: This was a randomized controlled trial to show that treatment with ceftriaxone or meropenem, followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cures patients with Whipple's disease. One asymptomatic individual with infection of the cerebrospinal fluid required additional therapy.

Microbiological equivalence of serum bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of the sera from healthy volunteers receiving original meropenem (Meronem) and generic meropenem (Mero). [2010.01]
CONCLUSION: The sera from healthy volunteers receiving Meronem and Mero had microbiological equivalence in terms of serum bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities.

Meropenem dosing in critically ill patients with sepsis and without renal dysfunction: intermittent bolus versus continuous administration? Monte Carlo dosing simulations and subcutaneous tissue distribution. [2009.07]
OBJECTIVES: To compare the plasma and subcutaneous tissue concentration-time profiles of meropenem administered by intermittent bolus dosing or continuous infusion to critically ill patients with sepsis and without renal dysfunction, and to use population pharmacokinetic modelling and Monte Carlo simulations to assess the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) against Gram-negative pathogens likely to be encountered in critical care units... CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to compare the relative concentration-time data of bolus and continuous administration of meropenem at the subcutaneous tissue and plasma levels. We found that the administration of meropenem by continuous infusion maintains higher concentrations in subcutaneous tissue and plasma than by intermittent bolus dosing. Administration by extended or continuous infusion will achieve superior CFR against less-susceptible organisms in patients without renal dysfunction.

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Clinical Trials Related to Merrem I.V. (Meropenem)

Pharmacokinetic Study of Extended Infusion Meropenem in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients [Terminated]
Meropenem is an intravenous antibiotic commonly used to treat acute exacerbation of respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. The research study aims to determine if a different method of infusing the drug over 3 hours or longer, instead of the traditional half-hour will improve target attainment of drug concentrations and bactericidal activity. A secondary aim is to assess if the pharmacokinetics of meropenem is different during active infection compared to non-infective stage. Twelve patients admitted with acute respiratory infection and who requires meropenem will be enrolled into the study. Meropenem blood concentrations collected over 8 hours will be measured after half-hour and 3-hour infusions on different days. A pharmacokinetic modelling and Monte Carlo simulation program will use the data to assess and predict the optimal method of dosing. When patients return for a follow-up clinic visit, a single dose of meropenem will be administered and blood concentrations will be measured to determine the pharmacokinetics during non-infective stage.

A Study of Meropenem Standard 30 Minute Infusion Versus Prolonged 3 Hour Infusion in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients [Completed]
Meropenem is a powerful antibiotic used in intensive care for people who have very serious infections. Meropenem is rapidly removed from the blood by the kidneys and it is very expensive. In very ill patients in intensive care, it is uncertain how best to give this antibiotic. Studies have suggested that a smaller dose given over a longer period of time, results in blood levels of meropenem that are just as good as when a higher dose is given over a shorter period of time. This direct comparison has not been tested in intensive care patients. It is important to know this because if giving a lesser amount more slowly is just as good, then doctors will choose to give meropenem this way. To establish whether this is the case, the investigators plan to conduct an initial (pilot) study in ten intensive care patients at Austin hospital. Adult (age 18 years or older) patients in intensive care who have a serious infection being treated with the antibiotic, meropenem for three days or more will be able to participate in this study. The decision to start meropenem will be made by the intensive care doctors and they will give it in the usual way for 24 hours. The investigators will then in a random way (like tossing of a coin), give the participant meropenem either in the usual way (1 gram infused over 30 minutes) or give them a smaller amount, but over a longer period of time (500 milligrams infused over 3 hours). This will be done for 24 hours. They will then receive meropenem in the alternative way for another 24 hours. After this time the intensive care doctors will decide how meropenem will continue to be given. Blood levels of meropenem will be measured to see if they are the same when meropenem is given in each of the two different ways. During each different way of giving meropenem, 7 blood samples will need to be taken. Ten mls (or one spoonful) of blood will be required for each measurement. Blood levels will be taken through monitoring lines, which will be already present. Other information will also be collected about the participant during this study. This will include their age, gender, height, weight, information about what other medical conditions they have and measurements of how well their kidneys are functioning.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) and Safety Study of Meropenem in Young Infants With Intra-abdominal Infections [Completed]
Meropenem is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat serious infections. Although it is used in premature and young infants, the correct dose is not known. The purpose of this study is to determine the correct dose and the safety of meropenem for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections in these young babies.

Trial of Meropenem Versus Piperacillin-Tazobactam on Mortality and Clinial Response [Recruiting]
Infections of the blood are extremely serious and require intravenous antibiotic treatment. When the infection results from antibiotic resistant bacteria, the choice of antibiotic is an extremely important decision. Some types of bacteria produce enzymes that may inactivate essential antibiotics, related to penicillin, called 'beta-lactams'. Furthermore high level production of these enzymes can occur during therapy and lead to clinical failure, even when an antibiotic appears effective by laboratory testing. However, this risk of this occurring in clinical practice has only been well described in a limited range of antibiotic classes in a type of bacteria called Enterobacter. There is currently uncertainty as to whether a commonly used, and highly effective antibiotic, called piperacillin-tazobactam is subject to the same risk of resistance developing while on treatment. Infections caused by Enterobacter (and other bacteria with similar resistance mechanisms) are often treated with an alternative drug called meropenem (a carbapenem antibiotic), which is effective but has an extremely broad-spectrum of activity. Excessive use of carbapenems is driving further

resistance to this antibiotic class - which represent our 'lastline' of antibiotic defence.

As such, we need studies to help us see whether alternatives to meropenem are an effective and safe choice. No study has ever directly tested whether these two antibiotics have the same effectiveness for this type of infection. The purpose of this study is to randomly assign patients with blood infection caused by Enterobacter or related bacteria to either meropenem or piperacillin/tazobactam in order to test whether these antibiotics have similar effectiveness.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Prolonged Infusion Meropenem in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Children [Completed]
This study will determine the concentrations of the antibiotic meropenem when administered as a 3 hour prolonged infusion in children with cystic fibrosis who are hospitalized with an acute pulmonary exacerbation. Safety and practicality of administering meropenem as a 3 hour infusion will be measured.

more trials >>


Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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