Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of meropenem in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).Methods Eight post-craniostomy patients with ventricular drainage were enrolled in this study. Meropenem was infused intravenously after operation with 0.5 g continuously in the first 30 min and then 3.0 g continuously in the 24 h thereafter. Venous blood and CSF specimens were collected before, and 10, 20, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h after medication. Meropenem concentration in specimens were measured by high performance liquid chromatography.Results The peak meropenem concentrations in serum and CSF were (63.72±22.08)mg/L and (3.97±0.45)mg/L, respectively. The peak concentrations occurred at 30 min in serum and 3 h in CSF after medication. The respective steady state concentrations of meropenem in serum (21.44±3.36)mg/L and in CSF (2.65±0.06)mg/L were achieved in 3 h and 6 h after medication, which exceeded the 90% minimum inhibitory concentration of common pathogens in intracranial infection.Conclusion Results of the present study indicate that steady state concentration of meropenem is achieved early by continuously intravenous infusion.

Key words: meropenem, continuously intravenous injection, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, drug concentration