Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 28, 2026

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii
09:17

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

Pharmacokinetics of meropenem 0.5 and 2 g every 8 hours as a 3-hour infusion

Prachi K Dandekar1, Dana Maglio, Christina A Sutherland

  • 1Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut 06102, USA.

Pharmacotherapy
|August 19, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found that a 3-hour meropenem infusion is pharmacokinetically similar to a standard 0.5-hour infusion. This extended infusion optimizes meropenem

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antibiotic Therapy

Background:

  • Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic.
  • Optimizing meropenem administration can improve patient outcomes.
  • Understanding meropenem pharmacokinetics is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of meropenem when administered as a 3-hour infusion.
  • To compare meropenem pharmacokinetics between 0.5-g and 2-g doses given over 3 hours.
  • To assess the feasibility of prolonged meropenem infusions.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, crossover, open-label study was conducted.
  • Six healthy adult male volunteers participated.
  • Subjects received meropenem 0.5 g or 2 g every 8 hours as a 3-hour infusion.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in dose-independent pharmacokinetic parameters (half-life, clearance, volume of distribution) were observed between 0.5-g and 2-g doses.
  • The 3-hour infusion regimens demonstrated dose proportionality and were comparable to a 0.5-hour infusion.
  • The extended infusion optimized meropenem's pharmacodynamic profile within stability constraints.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonging the time meropenem concentration remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is achievable.
  • Further research is required to correlate increased duration above MIC with clinical efficacy.
  • Extended meropenem infusions present a potential strategy for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.

More Related Videos

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Cystic Fibrosis Aggregate Biofilm Model to Study Infection-relevant Gene Expression08:58

Cystic Fibrosis Aggregate Biofilm Model to Study Infection-relevant Gene Expression

Published on: April 18, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods01:19

Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods

A medication’s effectiveness largely depends on its appropriate dosage and the route of administration. Dosage ensures that a sufficient drug concentration is maintained in the bloodstream to elicit the desired therapeutic effect without causing toxicity. The route of administration affects the drug's bioavailability, rate of absorption, and onset of action, which are crucial for achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Drug dosage calculations are critical to tailoring therapy to individual...
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions01:24

Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions

Intermittent intravenous (IV) infusion is a method of drug administration where medications are delivered over short infusion periods followed by intervals of no drug delivery. This approach helps to prevent sustained high drug concentrations in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with prolonged exposure. Unlike continuous infusion, steady-state concentrations may not be achieved during a single dosing cycle but can be reached through repeated...
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations01:15

Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations

Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is commonly administered via intermittent intravenous infusion to treat severe infections. An intermittent one-hour infusion of gentamicin, administered at eight-hour intervals, allows for precise control of plasma drug concentrations, minimizing toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacokinetic principles govern the dynamics of plasma concentrations and can be mathematically described using specific equations.The plasma drug concentration...
Estimation of k and VD of Aminoglycosides01:20

Estimation of k and VD of Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections. Clinicians must determine the elimination rate constant (k) and volume of distribution (VD) to optimize therapeutic efficacy and minimize toxicity. The k value represents the rate at which the drug is removed from the body, and the VD reflects the degree to which the drug distributes into body tissues. Accurately estimating these parameters allows healthcare professionals to tailor drug dosing to individual...
IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods01:28

IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods

The development of extended-release formulations has facilitated the transition from intravenous to oral medication, offering a more convenient and patient-friendly approach to drug administration. This transition, however, requires careful management to ensure that therapeutic drug levels are maintained, preserving efficacy and avoiding adverse effects. Understanding pharmacokinetic principles and dosage calculations is critical during this process.Pharmacokinetics of the...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...