How the dose is calculated
Meropenem is dosed in mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. Severe infections including meningitis use a higher total daily dose at the same frequency. This is an injectable (IV) antibiotic — no suspension volume conversion applies.
Typical dosing by indication
| Indication | Dose | Frequency | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 60 mg/kg/day | every 8h (3×/day) | 3000 mg/day |
| Severe/meningitis-range | 120 mg/kg/day | every 8h (3×/day) | 6000 mg/day |
Meropenem is supplied as a powder for reconstitution (IV) — there is no oral suspension, so this calculator reports the mg dose only; follow your local pharmacy's reconstitution and infusion protocol for the actual volume to administer.
Clinical use
- Meropenem's very broad spectrum (Gram-positive, Gram-negative including Pseudomonas, and anaerobes) makes it a common choice for severe hospital-acquired or multidrug-resistant infections — antibiotic stewardship principles apply strongly given the risk of driving further carbapenem resistance.
- Good CSF penetration and a favourable seizure-risk profile compared to imipenem make it a preferred carbapenem for CNS infections requiring this drug class.
- Cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy is low but not zero — use clinical judgement and allergy history when penicillin allergy is reported.
- Requires dose-interval adjustment in significant renal impairment.
Frequently asked questions
What is meropenem used for?
Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic reserved for severe, hospital-acquired, or multidrug-resistant infections, including some cases of bacterial meningitis, where narrower-spectrum agents aren't sufficient.
Why is meropenem considered a 'reserve' antibiotic?
Its very broad spectrum makes it valuable for resistant infections, but overuse drives further carbapenem resistance — so it's generally reserved for situations where narrower-spectrum agents won't work, guided by antibiotic stewardship principles.
Can meropenem be used in penicillin allergy?
Cross-reactivity between carbapenems and penicillins is low but not zero — clinical judgement based on the type and severity of the reported allergy is needed, ideally with specialist input for significant allergy histories.
Is meropenem available as a tablet or syrup?
No — meropenem is only available as an injectable (IV) formulation; there is no oral tablet or suspension form.
References
- Tunkel AR, et al. Practice Guidelines for the Management of Bacterial Meningitis (IDSA). Clin Infect Dis. 2004.
- British National Formulary for Children (BNFc) — Meropenem.
- American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book — Carbapenems.