Does Prolonged Infusion Allow Lower Daily Dose of Meropenem than Bolus Dosing?

Abstract

and dosing schedules have been selected on the basis of these characteristics. However, application of the known pharmacodynamics of meropenem could perhaps be used to alter the timing of delivery, in turn allowing the use of lower doses of meropenem with equivalent efficacy and net cost savings. To date, studies assessing the potential benefit of prolonged intermittent infusions of meropenem have used Monte Carlo simulations. 6,7 A Monte Carlo simulation is a statistical tool that attempts to mimic real-world situations by generating hypothetical trial data based on variation within the population for a num ber of characteristics. In the case of meropenem, a Monte Carlo simulation would use population data on clearance, volume of distribution, and MIC to generate thousands of hypothetical patients. Such a simulation could be used to measure the consistency of various dosage regimens in achieving surrogate markers of efficacy. To quantify consistency within the theoretical population, the portion of the population achieving the surrogate marker is calculated; this is termed the cumulative fraction of response. 6,7