Mepem Q Injection 500 milligrams (Meropenem Hydrate)

Adult administration

As Meropenem Hydrate, administer 0.5 to 1 g (potency) daily divided into 2 to 3 administrations via slow intravenous infusion for over 30 minutes. For suspected infections in pathogenic pneumonia, peritonitis, or sepsis in neutropenic patients, administer 1 g (potency) via slow intravenous infusion every 8 hours. For cystic fibrosis or meningitis, administer 2 g (potency) via slow intravenous infusion every 8 hours.

Child administration

For bacterial meningitis in children over 3 months of age, adjust dosage based on the susceptibility of pathogens and the patient's condition, administering 40 mg per kg body weight via slow intravenous infusion every 8 hours for over 30 minutes. Severe infections may require increased dosing.

This drug should not be administered to patients who have experienced severe allergic reactions or shock to this drug or its components in the past. Patients taking sodium valproate should be cautious as using this drug with it can increase the risk of recurrent seizures. Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to other carbapenem or beta-lactam antibiotics should also avoid using this drug. Persons with allergies or those frequently exhibiting symptoms such as asthma, rashes should use this drug with caution. Patients with poor renal or liver function may experience increased drug concentrations leading to side effects, and dose adjustment is required. Patients with epilepsy or central nervous system disorders need to be cautious when administering this drug. Infants under 3 months old, the elderly, and malnourished patients require special observation. During the use of this drug, symptoms of shock or anaphylaxis may occur, so the patient's condition should be closely monitored after administration. If symptoms of hypersensitivity such as skin rash, urticaria, itching, fever, redness, systemic flushing, angioedema, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, hypochromic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis, lymphocytosis, hemoglobin reduction, basophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, erythrocytopenia, hematocrit reduction, hypokalemia, or AST elevation occur, administration should be discontinued immediately. Abnormal liver function symptoms or acute renal failure may also occur rarely, requiring attention. If severe diarrhea or abdominal pain arises, consider the possibility of severe colitis such as pseudomembranous colitis and take action immediately. CNS symptoms like seizures or consciousness disturbances necessitate stopping administration and appropriate treatment. Respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, asthma, or pneumonia may occur, necessitating monitoring. Severe skin reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome may occur, so careful observation of skin condition is required. Disruption of normal flora leading to conditions like stomatitis or candidiasis may also occur. Bleeding tendencies due to vitamin K deficiency should be monitored for bleeding symptoms. Cardiovascular side effects such as heart failure, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia have been reported; closely observe the cardiac condition. Neurological symptoms may include insomnia, hallucinations, and delirium, hence monitoring behavior is necessary. Inflammation, pain, or swelling at the injection site might occur, necessitating careful observation of the injection site. Symptoms such as muscle pain, muscle weakness, or dark urine indicating rhabdomyolysis should lead to immediate discontinuation of the medication. This drug may interact with other medications; particularly caution is needed when used with sodium valproate, anti-epileptics, and hormonal contraceptives. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should only use this drug if the benefits outweigh the risks. During breastfeeding, it is advisable to avoid this drug as it can be excreted in breast milk. Use in infants under 3 months of age is not recommended due to safety not being established. Elderly patients are at higher risk of side effects due to decreased body functions; dosage and administration intervals should be adjusted cautiously. This drug is intended for intravenous use only and should be used as soon as possible after dissolution. Before administration, ensure to check for a history of hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactam drugs.

Serious side effects

Urticaria, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, pallor, severe allergic reactions, high fever with severe rashes, blisters, skin peeling, pain in oral/eye mucosa, severe skin adverse reactions, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, asthma attacks, respiratory abnormalities accompanied by cough and fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), extreme lethargy, liver abnormalities (jaundice), sudden and severe symptoms.

Mild side effects

• Oral dysgeusia
• wheezing
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• tinnitus
• sweating
• heat sensation
• erythema
• itching
• fever

This drug should be stored in a sealed container that prevents air or moisture from entering. The recommended storage temperature is room temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius. Proper storage can help maintain the drug's efficacy for a long time.

Appearance

A white to light yellow crystalline powder in a colorless and transparent vial for injection.

Package unit

For domestic use - 10 vials/box [604 milligrams/vial], for export - 1 vial/box [604 milligrams/vial]