Merobac - IV 1gm Injection

Uses of Merobac 1gm Injection

Used to treat bacterial infections such as:

• Pneumonia (including community acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia)
• Urinary tract infections
• Intra-abdominal infections
• Gynaecological infections such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Skin and skin structure infections
• Meningitis
• Septicaemia

How does Merobac 1gm Injection

Merobac 1gm Injection is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic that is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It exerts its action by penetrating bacterial cells readily and interfering with the synthesis of vital cell wall components, which leads to cell death.

Side Effects of Merobac 1gm Injection

• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Constipation
• Abdominal (stomach) pain.
• Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
• Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
• Sores in the mouth or throat

Quick Suggestions:

• Meropenem is an antibiotic that's usually only given in the hospital for serious infections.
• It is given by a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) over 20 to 60 minutes.
• Inform your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin or if you are taking any seizure medication before starting treatment with this medication.
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Inform your doctor if you develop severe stomach pain or if you find blood in your stools.
• Your doctor may monitor your kidney function and blood count while you are having treatment with this medication.

Indication of Merobac 1gm Injection

Merobac 1gm injection is used to treat bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. It also treats skin and structure infections like cellulitis and wound infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, it prevents intra-abdominal infections caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, as well as cures pneumonia, a lung infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

Pharmacology

Meropenem is a carbapenemic antibiotic for parenteral use. It exerts its bactericidal effect by interfering with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It penetrates the walls of bacterial cells, is very stable to all serine β-lactamases, and has a significant affinity for penicillin-binding protein (PBP). It shows effective bactericidal activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Dosage & Administration of Merobac 1gm Injection

The recommended daily dosage of Merobac 1gm Injection is as follows:

For Adults:

• For pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gynecological infections, and skin, and skin structure infections: 500 mg IV every 8 hours.
• For nosocomial pneumonias, peritonitis, presumed infections in neutropenic patients, and septicaemia: 1 g IV every 8 hours.
• For intra-abdominal infections: 500 mg to 1 gm every 8 hours.
• For cystic fibrosis: Up to 2 gm every 8 hours.
• For meningitis: 2 gm IV every 8 hours.

For Children (3 months to 12 years):

• Dosage ranges from 10 to 40 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours depending on the type and severity of infection, susceptibility of the pathogens, and the condition of the patient.
• For intra-abdominal infections: 20 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• For cystic fibrosis (4-18 years): 25-40 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• For meningitis: 40 mg/kg IV every 8 hours.
• For febrile neutropenia: 20 mg/kg every 8 hours.
• Children over 50 kg weight should use the adult dosage.

Meropenem should be administered by intravenous infusion over approximately 15-30 minutes or as an intravenous bolus (5 to 20 ml) over approximately 3-5 minutes. The dosage and duration of therapy should be established depending on the type, severity of infection, and the patient's condition. Please consult your healthcare provider for the appropriate dosage for your specific condition.

Interaction

Probenecid can affect the elimination of meropenem by inhibiting its renal excretion, leading to an increase in the plasma concentration and prolonging its elimination half-life. This interaction may require dose adjustments or monitoring when both medications are used together.

It's important to note that meropenem can also reduce serum levels of valproic acid, potentially leading to subtherapeutic levels of valproic acid in some patients. Monitoring of valproic acid levels and adjustment of the dose may be necessary if meropenem is co-administered with valproic acid.

As with any medication, it's crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of potential drug interactions and carefully monitor patients when multiple drugs are used together to ensure the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Patients should always inform their healthcare provider about all the medications they are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products, to avoid potential drug interactions and ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

Contraindications

Patients who are allergic to this product should not use meropenem.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Merobac 1gm Injection is classified as Class B in pregnancy. This means that there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of pregnant women using this drug. Therefore, Merobac 1gm Injection should be used during pregnancy only when clearly necessary, and the potential benefits must be weighed against the potential risks to the unborn baby.

Additionally, caution should be exercised when administering Merobac 1gm Injection to breastfeeding women. Since many drugs are excreted in human milk, the use of Merobac 1gm Injection should be carefully considered, and the potential risks to the nursing baby should be evaluated before administering the medication to breastfeeding mothers.

As always, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with their healthcare provider before using any medication to ensure the safety and appropriateness of its use during this period.

Precautions & Warnings

Merobac 1gm Injection should be used with caution in patients with underlying central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as brain lesions or a history of seizures. It is not recommended for the treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Extra caution should be exercised when using the medication in patients with renal impairment. The use of Merobac 1gm Injection is not recommended in children, during pregnancy, and lactation due to limited safety data.

Monitoring Parameters:

• Signs of anaphylaxis should be monitored during the administration of the first dose.
• Periodic assessment of renal, hepatic, and hematopoietic functions is recommended during prolonged therapy to ensure the drug's safety and efficacy.

Regarding lactation, it is unknown whether the drug is excreted in breast milk, so Merobac 1gm Injection should be used with caution in lactating women.

Please consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate monitoring and to determine the suitability of Merobac 1gm Injection for specific patient conditions.

Storage Conditions

Vial store in a cool, dry place (below 30°C), away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.