Merrem I.V.
Merrem I.V. - General Information
Merrem I.V. is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic. It is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Merrem I.V. exerts its action by penetrating bacterial cells readily and interfering with the synthesis of vital cell wall components, which leads to cell death.
Pharmacology of Merrem I.V.
Merrem I.V. is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic. It is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Merrem I.V. exerts its action by penetrating bacterial cells readily and interfering with the synthesis of vital cell wall components, which leads to cell death.
Merrem I.V. for patients
Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including MERREM I.V. should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold). When MERREM I.V. is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by MERREM I.V. or other antibacterial drugs in the future.
Merrem I.V. Interactions
Probenecid competes with meropenem for active tubular secretion and thus inhibits the renal excretion of meropenem. This led to statistically significant increases in the elimination half-life (38%) and in the extent of systemic exposure (56%). Therefore, the coadministration of probenecid with meropenem is not recommended.
There is evidence that meropenem may reduce serum levels of valproic acid to subtherapeutic levels (therapeutic range considered to be 50 to 100 µg/mL total valproate).
Merrem I.V. Contraindications
MERREM I.V. is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this product or to other drugs in the same class or in patients who have demonstrated anaphylactic reactions to b-lactams.
Additional information about Merrem I.V.
Merrem I.V. Indication: For use as single agent therapy for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible isolates of the designated microorganisms: complicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (b-lactamase and non-b-lactamase producing, methicillin-susceptible isolates only), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, viridans group streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis (excluding vancomycin-resistant isolates), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Bacteroides fragilis and Peptostreptococcus species; complicated appendicitis and peritonitis caused by viridans group streptococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, and Peptostreptococcus species. Also for use in the treatment of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (b-lactamase and non-b-lactamase-producing isolates), and Neisseria meningitidis.
Mechanism Of Action: The bactericidal activity of meropenem results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Merrem I.V. readily penetrates the cell wall of most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to reach penicillin-binding- protein (PBP) targets. Its strongest affinities are toward PBPs 2, 3 and 4 of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and PBPs 1, 2 and 4 of Staphylococcus aureus.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Meropenem
Synonyms: Meropenemum [INN-Latin]; Meropenem anhydrous; Antibiotic SM 7338
Drug Category: Antibacterials for Systemic Use
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved; Investigational
Other Brand Names containing Meropenem: Merrem I.V.;
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): In mice and rats, large intravenous doses of meropenem (2200-4000 mg/kg) have been associated with ataxia, dyspnea, convulsions, and mortalities.
Protein Binding: Approximately 2%.
Biotransformation: Primarily excreted unchanged. There is one metabolite which is microbiologically inactive.
Half Life: Approximately 1 hour in adults and children 2 years of age and older with normal renal function. Approximately 1.5 hours in children 3 months to 2 years of age.
Dosage Forms of Merrem I.V.: Powder, for solution Intravenous
Chemical IUPAC Name: (4R,5S,6S)-3-[(2S,5S)-5-(dimethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl]sulfanyl-6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid
Chemical Formula: C17H25N3O5S
Meropenem on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meropenem
Organisms Affected: Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria