R-Penem 1gm Injection

Carbapenem antibiotic injection (hospital use) for severe infections, including resistant bacteria:

• Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia
• Complicated intra-abdominal infections
• Complicated urinary tract and kidney infections
• Complicated skin and soft-tissue infections
• Bacterial meningitis
• Sepsis and fever in patients with very low white cells (neutropenic fever)

Adults: 500 mg–1 g IV every 8 hours; meningitis and cystic fibrosis: 2 g every 8 hours.

Children (3 months–12 years): 10–20 mg/kg every 8 hours (meningitis 40 mg/kg every 8 hours; maximum adult dose).

• Given as IV bolus over 5 minutes or infusion over 15–30 minutes (extended infusions are sometimes used).
• Reduce the dose in kidney impairment.

• Allergy to meropenem or other carbapenems
• Severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to penicillins or cephalosporins

Common: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, rash, itching, injection-site inflammation, raised liver enzymes, raised platelets.

Less common: thrush, low white cells or platelets, tingling.

Rare but serious: seizures (less than imipenem), severe allergy, severe skin reactions, C. difficile colitis.

• Reserve for serious or resistant infections (to protect its effectiveness).
• Epilepsy or brain disorders: seizure risk.
• Monitor liver function and blood counts in long treatment.

Use in pregnancy only if clearly needed. Small amounts in breast milk — use if needed, watch the baby for diarrhoea.

• Valproate: meropenem drastically lowers valproate levels — risk of seizures; avoid the combination
• Probenecid (raises meropenem levels)
• Warfarin (INR changes)

Mainly exaggerated side effects; seizures possible in kidney failure. Supportive care; dialysis removes it.

Store powder below 30°C. Use reconstituted solution promptly (follow leaflet for stability).