PHARMACOKINETICS OF MEROPENEM IN FEBRILE NEUTROPENIC PATIENTS

To determine the impact of neutropenia on the pharmacokinetics of mero penem, 14 patients with fever and neutropenia were given 1 g of merope nem i.v. every 8 h as an infusion over 30 min, The volume of distribut ion (16.2 l/1.73 m(2)) and the nonrenal clearance [75 ml/(min x 1.73 m (2))] in this group were significantly increased compared to healthy s ubjects studied previously with identical techniques, The kinetic stud y was repeated when the patients had a normal temperature and a raised neutrophil count; most kinetic variables did not differ from the find ings on the first day of treatment. The pharmacokinetic profile of mer openem in febrile neutropenic patients differs from earlier findings i n healthy subjects. Considering these data and known minimum inhibitor y concentration values for common pathogens, meropenem administered ev ery 6 to 8 h seems an appropriate regimen in patients with febrile neu tropenia. The shorter time interval may be used for treatment of Pseud omonas infection.