Last update Dec. 8, 2017

Meropenem

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Antibacterial carbapenem beta-lactam with indications similar to imipenem.
Intravenous administration every 8 hours.

It is excreted in breast milk in a clinically insignificant amount (Sauberan 2012) and no problems have been observed in infants whose mothers took it (Festini 2004).

Authorized pediatric use in infants and newborns.

It is considered by experts to be compatible with breastfeeding (Rowe 2013).

The possible negativity of cultures in febrile infants whose mothers take antibiotics should be taken into account, as well as the possibility of gastroenteritis due to altered intestinal flora (Benyamini 2005, Ito 1993, Kafetzis 1981).

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Meropenem since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Meropenem in other languages or writings:

Group

Meropenem belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Meropenem in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 0 %
Molecular weight 438 daltons
Protein Binding 2 %
VD 0.28 l/Kg
pKa 3.47 -
Tmax 0 hours
1 hours
Theoretical Dose 0.072 - 0.096 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.14 - 0.19 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0.12 - 0.24 %

References

  1. van Wattum JJ, Leferink TM, Wilffert B, Ter Horst PGJ. Antibiotics and lactation: An overview of relative infant doses and a systematic assessment of clinical studies. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 Jan;124(1):5-17. Abstract
  2. AEMPS. Meropenem. Ficha técnica. 2016 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  4. Sauberan JB, Bradley JS, Blumer J, Stellwagen LM. Transmission of meropenem in breast milk. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2012 Abstract
  5. AstraZeneca. Meropenem. Drug Summary. 2006 Full text (in our servers)
  6. Benyamini L, Merlob P, Stahl B, Braunstein R, Bortnik O, Bulkowstein M, Zimmerman D, Berkovitch M. The safety of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefuroxime during lactation. Ther Drug Monit. 2005 Abstract
  7. Festini F. Ciuti R, Repetto T, Taccetti G, Neri A, Campana S, Mergni G, de Martino M. Safety of breast-feeding during an IV tobramycin course for infants of CF women. Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl. 2004;27:288-9. Poster-Abstract 291. 2004
  8. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract
  9. Kafetzis DA, Siafas CA, Georgakopoulos PA, Papadatos CJ. Passage of cephalosporins and amoxicillin into the breast milk. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1981 Abstract

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