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 and Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).
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.