Abstract
Meropenem (MEPM), a new injectable carbapenem antibiotic, was evaluated for its clinical and adverse effects in 13 elderly patients with infections: pneumonia 4, pulmonary suppuration 1, lower respiratory tract infection 6, urinary tract infection 1 and sepsis 1.
Clinical efficacy was excellent in 1, good in 11 and fair in 1, the overall efficacy rate being 92.3%.
Bacteriologically, the overall eradication rate was 83.3%. No side effects were observed. As abnormal laboratory findings, increased eosinophils, decreased platelets and abnormal liver function values were noted but all the episodes improved after completion or discontinuation of treatment. MEPM was thought to be a useful antibiotic for elderly patients with infection.
