• Prachi K Dandekar, Dana Maglio, Christina A Sutherland, Charles H Nightingale, and David P Nicolau.
• Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut 06102, USA.
• Pharmacotherapy. 2003 Aug 1;23(8):988-91.

Study ObjectiveTo assess the pharmacokinetics of meropenem administered as a 3-hour infusion.DesignRandomized, crossover, open-label study.SettingClinical research center.SubjectsSix healthy adult male volunteers.InterventionEach subject received meropenem 0.5 or 2 g every 8 hours as a 3-hour infusion for three doses and then crossed over to the other dosage regimen.Measurement And Main ResultsPharmacokinetic parameters of both regimens were compared, and no significant differences between 0.5- and 2-g doses for the dose-independent parameters (half-life, clearance, and volume of distribution at steady state) were observed. The regimens displayed dose proportionality and were consistent with that of a traditional 0.5-hour infusion. The 3-hour infusion optimized the pharmacodynamic profile of meropenem and worked within the constraints of stability at room temperature stability.ConclusionProlonging the percentage of time above the minimum inhibitory concentration is a feasible option with meropenem; however, further studies are needed to quantify how this increase translates to efficacy.

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