Antibiotics · Carbapenem
Meropenem
Dose
1 g IV q8h (2 g q8h for meningitis / Pseudomonas)
Mechanism
Beta-lactam — broad-spectrum bactericidal
Indications
- • Severe sepsis / neutropenic sepsis
- • Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- • Intra-abdominal sepsis
- • ESBL-producing organisms
Dose adjustment
CrCl 25–50: 1 g q12h; <25: 500 mg q12h
Use
Reserve for severe / multidrug-resistant infections.
Monitoring
Renal function, FBC, LFT.
Side effects
- • Seizures (high dose, renal failure)
- • Rash, diarrhoea, C. diff
- • Thrombocytopenia
Related in WardRound
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
