A COMPARISON OF THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF MEROPENEM AFTER ADMINISTRATION BY INTRAVENOUS-INJECTION OVER 5 MINUTES AND INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION OVER 30 MINUTES

The pharmacokinetics of meropenem were determined in healthy volunteers after intravenous injection over 5 min or iv infusion over 30 min. Five volunteers received meropenem 500 mg and six volunteers received 1000 mg. For both doses, administration over 5 rather than 30 min doubled the plasma concentrations observed at the end of the dosing period. Comparison of the other data derived from the two modes of administration indicated that rapid administration of meropenem did not appreciably alter its disposition pharmacokinetics. Plasma clearance, renal clearance, non-renal clearance, terminal half-life and volume of distribution were unchanged. Within 1 h of dosing, the plasma concentrations were very similar indicating that dosing over either time period would result in similar antimicrobial cover and thus should not affect efficacy. There were no changes in tolerability of meropenem associated with more rapid administration.