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 volunteer s after intravenous injection over 5 min or iv infusion over 30 min. F ive volunteers received meropenem 500 mg and six volunteers received 1 000 mg. For both doses, administration over 5 rather than 30 min doubl ed the plasma concentrations observed at the end of the dosing period. Comparison of the other data derived from the two modes of administra tion indicated that rapid administration of meropenem did not apprecia bly alter its disposition pharmacokinetics. Plasma clearance, renal cl earance, non-renal clearance, terminal half-life and volume of distrib ution 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 effi cacy. There were no changes in tolerability of meropenem associated wi th more rapid administration.