Last update March 3, 2026

Meropenem

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Carbapenem beta-lactam antibacterial with indications similar to imipenem. It is used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including intra-abdominal infections, gynecological infections, meningitis, respiratory tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, urinary tract infections, and infections in immunocompromised patients. It may also be useful for the initial empirical treatment of these conditions due to its broad spectrum of action. Intravenous administration in doses of 0.5 to 2 g every 8 hours.

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

Expert authors consider it compatible with breastfeeding. (van Wattum 2019, Rowe 2013)

Authorized for use in pediatrics, infants, and newborns. (AEMPS 2025)

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

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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
T½ 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. AEMPS. Meropenem. Ficha técnica. 2025 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Fresenius K.. Meropenem. Drug Summary. 2021 Full text (in our servers)
  3. 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
  4. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  5. Sauberan JB, Bradley JS, Blumer J, Stellwagen LM. Transmission of meropenem in breast milk. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2012 Abstract

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