INN monograph
Meropenem
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Sensitivity to beta-lactam antibacterials (avoid if history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction, pregnancy and breast-feeding, impaired hepatic or renal functions.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
By intravenous injection over 5 minutes or by intravenous infusion, 500 mg every 8 hours, dose doubled in hospital-acquired pneumonia, peritonitis, septicaemia and infections in neutro- penic patients; child 3 months12 years [not licensed for infection in neutropenia] 10 20 mg/kg every 8 hours, over 50 kg body weight adult dose Meningitis, 2 g every 8 hours; child 3 months12 years 40 mg/kg every 8 hours, over 50 kg body weight adult dose Exacerbations of chronic lower respiratory-tract infection in cystic fibrosis, up to 2 g every 8 hours; child 418 years 2540 mg/kg every 8 hours.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- A randomized comparison of meropenem with cefotaxime or ceftriaxone for the treatment of bacterial meningitis in adults showed a superior performance of meropenem (100% cure rate compared with 77%) (Schmutzhard et al., 1995)
- A broad spectrum beta- lactam antibiotic of carbapenem class.
Safety
Adverse effects
- GI disturbances, allergic reactions, convulsions, disturbances in liver function tests, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, positive Coombs test, thrombophlebitis at the site of injection among other local reactions.
Use
Indications
- Aerobic and anaerobic gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria.
- Clinical selection for Meropenem should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death, hence bactericidal.
Full mechanism text
Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death, hence bactericidal. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpenam | Alembic Products Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| ARCHIFAR 1G POWDER FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION | — | H2020/CTD5555/1254ER (36 months) | 195.00 |
| Bestinem | Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Canem | Cachet Pharmaceuticals PVT Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Canem O | J. Uriach & CIA | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Invanz | Merck Sharp & Dohme | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Meronem | Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Meronia | Dafra Phama | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Meropen | Renata Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Meropen | Renata Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Meropenem_Pharmathen | Pharmathen | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Merosan | PT Sanbe Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Monan | M.J.Biopharm | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Mpen 1000 powder for injection | — | H2019/CTD4734/726ER (36 months) | 594.00 |
| OLVER | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 1GM IV INJ 1'S | 268.75 |
| Ronem | Venus Remedies Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Specbac | Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.