A COMPILATION OF MEROPENEM TISSUE DISTRIBUTION DATA

Meropenem body fluid and tissue concentration data from both published studies and samples obtained during efficacy evaluation have been com piled and presented according to a consistent format to facilitate com parison. The concentration data have been compared with the mode MIC d ata available for the pathogens isolated during the clinical evaluatio n of meropenem. These data support the widespread and rapid penetratio n of meropenem into the interstitial fluid of those tissues not protec ted by a tight epithelial barrier. Furthermore, they suggest that the proposed dosages of meropenem 500 mg or 1 g tds would provide an adequ ate duration of cover at tissue sites for the treatment of a range of commonly occurring pathogens. A higher dosage of 40 mg/kg or 2 g in ad ults given tds would be recommended for meningitis based on the penetr ation of meropenem into CSF. Overall, the tissue and body fluid data p resented confirm the expectation, based on the plasma concentrations a nd theoretical arguments, that meropenem is rapidly and readily distri buted into the interstitial fluid, thereby producing concentrations in tissues likely to be clinically effective. This is consistent with th e available clinical data on the therapeutic efficacy of meropenem.