What is the recommended intramuscular (IM) dosing for Meropenem (Merrem)?

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Last updated: May 13, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the FDA Drug Label

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

  1. 1 Adult Patients The recommended dose of meropenen for injection is 500 mg given every 8 hours for skin and skin structure infections and 1 gram given every 8 hours for intra-abdominal infections.

Administration: Meropenen for injection should be administered by intravenous infusion over approximately 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Doses of 1 gram may also be administered as an intravenous bolus injection (5 mL to 20 mL) over approximately 3 minutes to 5 minutes.

The FDA drug label does not answer the question about IM (Intramuscular) dosing of Meropenem.

From the Research

Meropenem is not recommended for intramuscular (IM) administration, and instead, should be administered intravenously (IV) as it is not formulated or approved for IM use. The standard IV dosing for adults with normal renal function is typically 500 mg to 1 gram every 8 hours, or 1-2 grams every 8 hours for severe infections, depending on the type and severity of infection 1. For patients with renal impairment, dose adjustments are necessary based on creatinine clearance. Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and is effective against many gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria, including many multi-drug resistant organisms. The drug must be reconstituted properly for IV administration and infused over 15-30 minutes (for doses ≤1g) or 30-60 minutes (for doses >1g) 2. If IM administration is needed for any reason, alternative antibiotics with established IM formulations should be considered based on the infection being treated and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Some key points to consider when administering meropenem include:

  • The importance of proper reconstitution and infusion techniques to ensure the drug's effectiveness and minimize the risk of adverse reactions 2
  • The need for dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment, as meropenem is primarily eliminated via the kidneys 3
  • The potential for meropenem to be used in continuous infusion, particularly in critically ill patients or those with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal replacement therapy 4
  • The broad spectrum of activity of meropenem, which includes many gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria, although it lacks activity against certain organisms such as Enterococcus faecium and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 1

Overall, meropenem is a valuable antibiotic for the treatment of severe infections, but its use requires careful consideration of the patient's renal function, the severity of the infection, and the potential for adverse reactions. The most recent and highest quality study 4 supports the use of meropenem in continuous infusion, particularly in critically ill patients or those with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal replacement therapy.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.