Infection
Infection control is a rapidly growing key area for AstraZeneca South Africa. Meronem® the champion of this portfolio can be classified as one of the truelife saving drugs
Meronem® (meropenem) is an intravenous antibiotic within the carbapenem class (J01P2)[1].
As Meronem® has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species, it is used for the treatment of serious nosocomial infections that are often caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens[2]. Meronem® is therefore indicated for the treatment of infections caused by single or multiple susceptible bacteria, and as empiric therapy prior to the identification of the causative organisms. These infections include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, skin and skin structure infections, meningitis, septicaemia, intra-abdominal abscess peritonitis and polymicrobial infections[1].
Meronem® is indicated for use in children older than 3 months, and in adults of any age, and with renal and hepatic impairment [1].
Meronem® has a convenient dosing regimen of 500mg to 1g every 8 hours in adults, depending on the severity of the infection, and can be given by bolus or infusion[1]. In febrile episodes in neutropenic patients, 1 g should be given every 8 hours and in meningitis the dose should be 2g every 8 hours[1].
In an environment where there is growing resistance to established antimicrobial therapies, limited research and development, and therefore few if any new antimicrobials coming to market, the fact that Meronem® offers sustained potency [3], continued effectiveness against clinical relevant pathogens[3], and no increase in resistance[3] makes Meronem® a good choice as empiric or targeted therapy for serious nosocomial infections.
