Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
12:03

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method

Published on: April 18, 2019

Imipenem and meropenem: Comparison of in vitro activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials and adverse effects

G G Zhanel1, A E Simor, L Vercaigne

  • 1Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Health Sciences Centre and Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Manitoba;

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses
|February 21, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Imipenem and meropenem show similar efficacy for severe infections, though meropenem is approved for bacterial meningitis. Imipenem is more economical for treating serious infections based on acquisition cost.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Imipenem, the first carbapenem antibiotic, was marketed in 1987.
  • Meropenem, a newer carbapenem, was introduced in 1996.
  • Both are broad-spectrum antibiotics used for serious bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare imipenem and meropenem.
  • Evaluation of in vitro activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects.
  • Determine optimal use in treating severe infections.

Main Methods:

  • MEDLINE database search (1975-1997) and reference tracking.
  • Inclusion of clinical trials comparing imipenem/meropenem against each other or standard therapy.
  • Focus on serious infections like intra-abdominal infections, respiratory infections, septicemia, and febrile neutropenia.

Main Results:

  • Imipenem exhibits greater activity against Gram-positive cocci; meropenem is more potent against Gram-negative bacilli.
  • Pharmacokinetics are comparable between the two agents.
  • Similar bacteriological and clinical cure rates were observed in serious infections.
  • Meropenem is approved for bacterial meningitis; imipenem is not.
  • Adverse effect profiles are similar.

Conclusions:

  • Literature supports imipenem (500 mg q6h) and meropenem (1 g q8h) for severe infections.
  • Imipenem (500 mg q6h) is more cost-effective than meropenem (1 g q8h) based on acquisition costs for treating serious infections.
Keywords:
ImipenemMeropenem

More Related Videos

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii09:17

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

Related Concept Videos

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
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...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Pharmacodynamic Models: Overview01:27

Pharmacodynamic Models: Overview

Pharmacodynamic (PD) responses describe the interaction between a drug and its biological target, culminating in a physiological effect. These responses can be classified into different types: continuous variables, such as blood glucose levels; categorical outcomes, like survival rates; and time-to-event metrics, such as disease progression. Understanding and modeling PD responses are critical for optimizing drug efficacy and safety.PD models describe the relationship between drug concentration...