Pharmacokinetics of high-dose meropenem in adult cystic fibrosis patients

Because patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have pulmonary exacerbations sec ondary to multi-antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacilli, antibiotics, li ke meropenem, are often utilized. We studied the pharmacokinetics of merope nem (2 g i.v. administered every 8 h in clinically stable CF patients to de termine if the recommended maximum doses could sustain adequate concentrati ons during the dosing interval. These pharmacokinetic data were similar to those obtained in non-CF populations. Using this regimen, concentrations of meropenem exceed the susceptibility breakpoint (4 mug/ml) for 50% of the d osing interval, and therefore provide optimization of the pharmacodynamic p rofile of the compound. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.