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Specbac 500 mg/vial

Injection

Generic: Meropenem

Square Pharmaceuticals PLC.

Therapeutic Class: Carbapenem Antibiotic

Indications

Severe hospital infections: pneumonia including hospital-acquired pneumonia, complicated urinary tract, intra-abdominal, skin and soft tissue infections, bacterial meningitis, septicaemia and febrile neutropenia.

Pharmacology

Meropenem is a carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotic. It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis and is stable to most beta-lactamases, with a very broad spectrum covering Gram-positive, Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria.

Dosage & Administration

Adult: 500 mg-1 g every 8 hours by IV injection or infusion; 2 g every 8 hours in meningitis. Child over 3 months: 10-20 mg/kg every 8 hours; 40 mg/kg every 8 hours in meningitis. Reduce the dose in renal impairment.

Side Effects

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, skin rash, inflammation at the injection site, raised liver enzymes. Rarely: convulsions, antibiotic-associated colitis, allergic reactions.

Precautions & Warnings

For hospital use under specialist supervision. Use with caution in patients allergic to penicillins or cephalosporins. Avoid use together with sodium valproate (it lowers valproate levels). Complete the full prescribed course. Use only on the prescription of a registered physician.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to carbapenems; history of severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylaxis) to any other beta-lactam antibiotic.

Storage Conditions

Store the dry powder below 30°C, away from light. Keep out of the reach of children. Use the reconstituted solution promptly, as directed in the leaflet.

This information is for reference only. Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

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