Meropenem
General Information
Formulary antimicrobial: Use in accordance with Trust guidelines. All other indications must be recommended/prescribed by a Micro/ID consultant or registrar.
AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Reserve'. All indications to be discussed with Micro/ID.
For adult critical care areas only: Where using meropenem by continuous Infusion see Adult Intensive Care Medication Guidelines
For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF
Standard Dose
|
|
Intravenous dose |
|
Standard dose |
500mg tds |
|
Sepsis or Severe infections or Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections |
1g tds |
|
CNS infection |
2g tds |
Obesity
No dose adjustment required.
Renal and hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
|
eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2) |
Where usual dose would be 500mg TDS meropenem |
Where usual dose would be 1g TDS meropenem |
Where usual dose would be 2g TDS meropenem |
|
Over 50 |
No dose adjustment required |
No dose adjustment required |
No dose adjustment required |
|
26-50 |
500mg BD |
1g BD |
2g BD |
|
10-25 |
500mg BD |
500mg TDS |
1g BD |
|
less than 10 |
500mg OD |
1g OD |
1g OD |
|
HD/HDF/High Flux/PD |
Dose as in eGFR less than 10ml/min/1.73m2. Dialysed; give after dialysis |
||
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment necessary but monitor LFTs closely.
MHRA Drug Safety Alerts
MHRA Drug Safety Update (December 2014) Carbapenems: concomitant use with valproic acid not recommended
- There is a clinically significant interaction between carbapenems and sodium valproate or valproic acid, which results in reduced valproate plasma concentrations with potential for inadequate seizure control.
- If the patient is already prescribed sodium valproate or valproic acid and meropenem is recommended, discuss with Micro/ID and the relevant clinical team.
- OUH Weekly Safety Message 365 about Interaction between Sodium Valproate and Carbapenem Antibiotics can be found HERE (February 2026)
References
- Pfizer Limited. Meronem IV 1g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion summary of product characteristics. Electronic medicines compendium. Last revision of the text 09/25. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 16/2/26
- The Renal Drug Database. Meropenem. Last updated 28/10/24. Accessed via https://www.renaldrugdatabase.com Accessed 16/2/26
- British National Formulary. Meropenem. BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com Accessed 16/2/26.
- MHRA. Drug Safety update (December 2014). Carbapenems: concomitant use with valproic acid not recommended. Accessed at https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/carbapenems-concomitant-use-with-valproic-acid-not-recommended
- Sanford Guide [online]. Meropenem. Last updated: 30/1/26. Accessed via https://webedition.sanfordguide.com Accessed 16/2/26
- All-Wales Antimicrobial Pharmacists’ Group (2022). Antimicrobial dosing in extremes of body weight in adults. Accessed 16/2/26.