Stability of meropenem in portable elastomeric infusion devices: which protocol should be implemented in clinical...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) offers advantages for infection management.
• Limited data on antibiotic stability in elastomeric infusion devices hinders safe and effective OPAT.
• Meropenem's physicochemical instability beyond 24 hours in these devices raises concerns about efficacy and toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the real-world shelf life of meropenem in portable elastomeric infusion devices.
• To provide clinicians with essential stability data for meropenem administration.
• To propose evidence-based administration protocols for meropenem in OPAT settings.

Main Methods:

• Stability testing of meropenem solutions in elastomeric infusion devices under simulated clinical conditions.
• Physicochemical analysis to assess meropenem degradation over time.
• Development of administration guidelines based on stability data.

Main Results:

• Meropenem exhibits significant physicochemical instability when stored in portable elastomeric infusion devices for durations exceeding 24 hours.
• Degradation of meropenem compromises its therapeutic efficacy and may increase toxicity risks.
• Identified specific timeframes for safe administration based on drug stability.

Conclusions:

• Current prolonged use of meropenem in elastomeric infusion devices may not be safe or effective.
• Clinicians require accurate stability data to optimize meropenem dosing and administration in OPAT.
• The study provides essential data to establish safe and effective administration protocols for meropenem in portable infusion devices.