Meropenem

Population Pharmacokinetics of Meropenem Across the Adult Lifespan

Posted on by Kayla Korzekwinski

Clinical Pharmacokinetics • February 2025

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Boutzoukas AE, Balevic SJ, Hemmersbach-Miller M, Winokur PL, Gu K, Chan AW, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Conrad T, An G, Kirkpatrick CMJ, Swamy GK, Walter EB, Schmader KE, Landersdorfer CB.

This study conducted an opportunistic pharmacokinetic study to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics of meropenem, an antimicrobial commonly used to treat Gram-negative infections in adults of different ages, including older adults, and determined optimal dosing regimens. Meropenem dosing should be based on renal function rather than age. For patients without renal impairment, extended infusion may increase the probability of target attainment.

 

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling of Meropenem in Preterm and Term Infants

Posted on by Kayla Korzekwinski

Clinical Pharmacokinetics • June 2021

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Ganguly S, Edginton A, Gerhart JG, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Greenberg RG, Gonzalez D; on behalf of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act-Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee
This study applied physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to characterize the disposition of the antibiotic meropenem in preterm and term infants. Meropenem is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in pediatric patients, including treating complicated intra-abdominal infections in infants < 3 months of age. The PBPK model-based simulations were performed to evaluate meropenem dosing in the product label for infants < 3 months of age treated for complicated intra-abdominal infections. The PBPK model used supports the meropenem dosing regimens recommended in the product label for infants <3 months of age.

Adverse events associated with meropenem versus imipenem/cilastatin therapy in a large retrospective cohort of hospitalized infants

Posted on by Kayla Korzekwinski

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal • July 2013

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Hornik CP, Herring AH, Benjamin DK Jr, Capparelli EV, Kearns GL, van den Anker J, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Clark RH, Smith PB; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act-Pediatric Trials Network.

Carbapenems are commonly used in hospitalized infants despite a lack of complete safety data and associations with seizures in older children. We compared the incidence of adverse events in hospitalized infants receiving meropenem versus imipenem/cilastatin. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 5566 infants treated with meropenem or imipenem/cilastatin in neonatal intensive care units managed by the Pediatrix Medical Group between 1997 and 2010.

Safety and effectiveness of meropenem in infants with suspected or complicated intra-abdominal infections

Posted on by Kayla Korzekwinski

Clinical Infectious Disease • December 2012

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Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Poindexter B, Bidegain M, Weitkamp JH, Schelonka RL, Randolph DA, Ward RM, Wade K, Valencia G, Burchfield D, Arrieta A, Mehta V, Walsh M, Kantak A, Rasmussen M, Sullivan JE, Finer N, Rich W, Brozanski BS, van den Anker J, Blumer J, Laughon M, Watt KM, Kearns GL, Capparelli EV, Martz K, Berezny K, Benjamin DK Jr, Smith PB; Meropenem Study Team.

Intra-abdominal infections are common in young infants and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Meropenem is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial with excellent activity against pathogens associated with intra-abdominal infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of meropenem in young infants with suspected or complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Population pharmacokinetics of meropenem in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of infants with suspected or complicated intra-abdominal infections

Posted on by Kayla Korzekwinski

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal • October 2011

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Smith PB, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Castro LM, Poindexter B, Bidegain M, Weitkamp JH, Schelonka RL, Ward RM, Wade K, Valencia G, Burchfield D, Arrieta A, Bhatt-Mehta V, Walsh M, Kantak A, Rasmussen M, Sullivan JE, Finer N, Brozanski BS, Sanchez P, van den Anker J, Blumer J, Kearns GL, Capparelli EV, Anand R, Benjamin DK Jr; Meropenem Study Team.

Suspected or complicated intra-abdominal infections are common in young infants and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Meropenem is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with excellent activity against pathogens associated with intra-abdominal infections in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem in young infants as a basis for optimizing dosing and minimizing adverse events.