[Clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluations of meropenem in children].
Twenty-five children were treated with meropenem (MEPM, SM-7338) and the clinical efficacy and side effects were evaluated. Ages of the patients ranged from 9 months to 11 years. Dose levels of MEPM ranged from 50.4 to 108 mg/kg/day for 4 to 8 days. The 25 patients included 11 pneumonia cases, 4 bronchitis, 6 tonsillitis, 3 urinary tract infections and 1 gingivitis, and they were evaluated for the clinical efficacy of MEPM. Results were excellent in 13 and good in 12 patients. No side effects nor abnormal clinical laboratory test results were observed. The pharmacokinetics of MEPM was studied in 7 patients with ages ranging from 9 to 15 years. The mean plasma peak concentration of MEPM in 5 patients was 36.7 micrograms/ml after dosing 10 mg/kg, and that of 2 patients was 70.0 micrograms/ml after administering 20 mg/kg. These data showed that plasma concentrations of drug depended on dose levels. Average half-life values for the 2 groups (10 and 20 mg/kg) were 0.83 and 0.85 hour, respectively. Urinary recovery rates for the 2 groups (10 and 20 mg/kg) were 64.3% and 81.3%, respectively, in the first 5 hours after administration.
Satoh
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital.
Watanabe
A
A
D000042:Absorption; D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem