Drug EffectMER6NCT05578586
A Pilot Study for Optimizing Meropenem Administration in the ICU
A study testing Meropenem 1000 mg in people with Drug Effect, run by Oslo University Hospital at 1 site in Norway.
Trial summary
Can antibiotic drugs be administered faster and make acceptable serum concentrations if we give short but multiple infusions compared to long and fewer infusions? In this study we will compare giving meropenem 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions to the recommended 2 gram 3 times daily in 3 hours infusions. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Drug Effect
- What is being tested?
- Meropenem 1000 mg
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNorway
- Study dates
- 14 Dec 2021to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients ≥ 18 years admitted to the ICU at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet and
- who shall be treated with meropenem because of proven or suspected serious infection and
- who give their written informed consent either directly or through next of kin
Who cannot join
- with known hypersensistivity to betalactam antibiotics or
- who use of valproat or
- who are pregnant or
- the lack of consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Norway1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, 0242
Ingvild Nordøy, PhD, +4793028084, inordoy@ous-hf.no
Trine Kåsine, PhD, +4790779669, trikka@ous-hf.no
About this study
Official title: A Pilot Study for Optimizing Meropenem Administration in the Intensive Care Unit - Short Six Times vs Prolonged Three Times Courses Daily
Can antibiotic drugs be administered faster and make acceptable serum concentrations if we give short but multiple infusions compared to long and fewer infusions? In this study we will compare giving meropenem 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions to the recommended 2 gram 3 times daily in 3 hours infusions. In patients in the intensive care unit, the need for intravenous access is of essence. If 6 short infusions results in the same serum concentrations as 3 long infusions, we will increase intravenous access from 15 to 22.5 hours daily.
Read the detailed description
The primary aim of this pilot study is to examine if the dosing of the antibiotic meropenem given as 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions can be compared to 2 grams given 3 times daily in 3 hours infusion when measuring the serum concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 50 % of the time (2 mg/l).
The secondary aims are
- That both administration forms will result in serum concentrations above MIC ≥ 100 % of the time (2 mg/l)
- Days in hospital
- 30 days mortality after admittance to the ICU
- Serious side-effects
Five extra blood samples will be performed 24, 48 and 72 hours between two dosing intervals. The dose will be adjusted according to renal function which will be monitored daily. The patients will be supervised for adverse effects until 2 days after treatment has stopped.
The study will be performed from 2021 to the end of 2024.
- Conditions
- Drug Effect
- Being tested
- Meropenem 1000 mg
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Meropenem 1000 mgDrug
Also called Meropenem 2000 mg
given as 6 or 3 infusions in 15 minues or 3 hours.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental vs Control | Experimental | The patients who are randomized to receive meropenem 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions. Receives: Drug: Meropenem 1000 mg |
| Controls | Active comparator | The patients who are randomized to receive meropenem 2 gram 3 times daily in 3 hours infusions. Receives: Drug: Meropenem 1000 mg |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 50 % of the time (2 mg/l)
Comparing 2 ways of administering meropenem intravenously
Measured: After 24, 48 and 72 hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Oct 2022
- Study start14 Dec 2021
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (15)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Drug EffectStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Oslo University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Prospective randomized pilotstudy 1:1.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Oslo University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ingvild Nordøy, Oslo University Hospital
- Investigators
- Ingvild Nordøy, PhD, Principal investigator, Oslo University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05578586
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Meropenem6
- Acronym
- MER6
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Oct 2022
- Last updated
- 24 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Turnidge JD. The pharmacodynamics of beta-lactams. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Jul;27(1):10-22. doi: 10.1086/514622.
PubMed 9675443Craig WA. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters: rationale for antibacterial dosing of mice and men. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Jan;26(1):1-10; quiz 11-2. doi: 10.1086/516284.
PubMed 9455502Drusano GL. Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics: critical interactions of 'bug and drug'. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2004 Apr;2(4):289-300. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro862. No abstract available.
PubMed 15031728Roberts JA, Lipman J. Optimizing use of beta-lactam antibiotics in the critically ill. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Dec;28(6):579-85. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-996404.
PubMed 18095221De Waele JJ, Lipman J, Carlier M, Roberts JA. Subtleties in practical application of prolonged infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2015 May;45(5):461-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.01.007. Epub 2015 Feb 16.
PubMed 25749200Roberts JA, Paul SK, Akova M, Bassetti M, De Waele JJ, Dimopoulos G, Kaukonen KM, Koulenti D, Martin C, Montravers P, Rello J, Rhodes A, Starr T, Wallis SC, Lipman J; DALI Study. DALI: defining antibiotic levels in intensive care unit patients: are current beta-lactam antibiotic doses sufficient for critically ill patients? Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Apr;58(8):1072-83. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu027. Epub 2014 Jan 14.
PubMed 24429437Taccone FS, Laterre PF, Dugernier T, Spapen H, Delattre I, Wittebole X, De Backer D, Layeux B, Wallemacq P, Vincent JL, Jacobs F. Insufficient beta-lactam concentrations in the early phase of severe sepsis and septic shock. Crit Care. 2010;14(4):R126. doi: 10.1186/cc9091. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
PubMed 20594297Binder L, Schworer H, Hoppe S, Streit F, Neumann S, Beckmann A, Wachter R, Oellerich M, Walson PD. Pharmacokinetics of meropenem in critically ill patients with severe infections. Ther Drug Monit. 2013 Feb;35(1):63-70. doi: 10.1097/FTD.0b013e31827d496c.
PubMed 23318279Petersson J, Giske CG, Eliasson E. Standard dosing of piperacillin and meropenem fail to achieve adequate plasma concentrations in ICU patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2016 Nov;60(10):1425-1436. doi: 10.1111/aas.12808. Epub 2016 Sep 21.
PubMed 27655029Mouton JW, Ambrose PG, Canton R, Drusano GL, Harbarth S, MacGowan A, Theuretzbacher U, Turnidge J. Conserving antibiotics for the future: new ways to use old and new drugs from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic perspective. Drug Resist Updat. 2011 Apr;14(2):107-17. doi: 10.1016/j.drup.2011.02.005. Epub 2011 Mar 26.
PubMed 21440486Roberts JA, Abdul-Aziz MH, Davis JS, Dulhunty JM, Cotta MO, Myburgh J, Bellomo R, Lipman J. Continuous versus Intermittent beta-Lactam Infusion in Severe Sepsis. A Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data from Randomized Trials. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Sep 15;194(6):681-91. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201601-0024OC.
PubMed 26974879Roberts JA, Webb S, Paterson D, Ho KM, Lipman J. A systematic review on clinical benefits of continuous administration of beta-lactam antibiotics. Crit Care Med. 2009 Jun;37(6):2071-8. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181a0054d.
PubMed 19384201Falagas ME, Tansarli GS, Ikawa K, Vardakas KZ. Clinical outcomes with extended or continuous versus short-term intravenous infusion of carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Jan;56(2):272-82. doi: 10.1093/cid/cis857. Epub 2012 Oct 16.
PubMed 23074314Teo J, Liew Y, Lee W, Kwa AL. Prolonged infusion versus intermittent boluses of beta-lactam antibiotics for treatment of acute infections: a meta-analysis. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2014 May;43(5):403-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2014.01.027. Epub 2014 Mar 1.
PubMed 24657044Ahmed N, Jen SP, Altshuler D, Papadopoulos J, Pham VP, Dubrovskaya Y. Evaluation of Meropenem Extended Versus Intermittent Infusion Dosing Protocol in Critically Ill Patients. J Intensive Care Med. 2020 Aug;35(8):763-771. doi: 10.1177/0885066618784264. Epub 2018 Jun 28.
PubMed 29954243
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Pilot Study for Optimizing Meropenem Administration in the Intensive Care Unit - Short Six Times vs Prolonged Three Times Courses Daily
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05578586
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MER6 / Meropenem6
- Conditions
- Drug Effect
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Oslo University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Can antibiotic drugs be administered faster and make acceptable serum concentrations if we give short but multiple infusions compared to long and fewer infusions? In this study we will compare giving meropenem 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions to the recommended 2 gram 3 times daily in 3 hours infusions. In patients in the intensive care unit, the need for intravenous access is of essence. If 6 short infusions results in the same serum concentrations as 3 long infusions, we will increase intravenous access from 15 to 22.5 hours daily.
Detailed description
The primary aim of this pilot study is to examine if the dosing of the antibiotic meropenem given as 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions can be compared to 2 grams given 3 times daily in 3 hours infusion when measuring the serum concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 50 % of the time (2 mg/l).
The secondary aims are
- That both administration forms will result in serum concentrations above MIC ≥ 100 % of the time (2 mg/l)
- Days in hospital
- 30 days mortality after admittance to the ICU
- Serious side-effects
Five extra blood samples will be performed 24, 48 and 72 hours between two dosing intervals. The dose will be adjusted according to renal function which will be monitored daily. The patients will be supervised for adverse effects until 2 days after treatment has stopped.
The study will be performed from 2021 to the end of 2024.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Prospective randomized pilotstudy 1:1.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental vs Control | Experimental | Drug: Meropenem 1000 mgThe patients who are randomized to receive meropenem 1 gram 6 times daily in 15 minutes infusions. |
| Controls | Active comparator | Drug: Meropenem 1000 mgThe patients who are randomized to receive meropenem 2 gram 3 times daily in 3 hours infusions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients ≥ 18 years admitted to the ICU at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet and
- who shall be treated with meropenem because of proven or suspected serious infection and
- who give their written informed consent either directly or through next of kin
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- with known hypersensistivity to betalactam antibiotics or
- who use of valproat or
- who are pregnant or
- the lack of consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Meropenem 1000 mgAlso: Meropenem 2000 mggiven as 6 or 3 infusions in 15 minues or 3 hours. | Drug | Controls, Experimental vs Control |
Primary outcome
Concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 50 % of the time (2 mg/l)
Time frame: After 24, 48 and 72 hours
Comparing 2 ways of administering meropenem intravenously
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Apr 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 9675443Turnidge JD. The pharmacodynamics of beta-lactams. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Jul;27(1):10-22. doi: 10.1086/514622.
- Results publication: PubMed 9455502Craig WA. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters: rationale for antibacterial dosing of mice and men. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Jan;26(1):1-10; quiz 11-2. doi: 10.1086/516284.
- Results publication: PubMed 15031728Drusano GL. Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics: critical interactions of 'bug and drug'. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2004 Apr;2(4):289-300. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro862. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 18095221Roberts JA, Lipman J. Optimizing use of beta-lactam antibiotics in the critically ill. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Dec;28(6):579-85. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-996404.
- Results publication: PubMed 25749200De Waele JJ, Lipman J, Carlier M, Roberts JA. Subtleties in practical application of prolonged infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2015 May;45(5):461-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.01.007. Epub 2015 Feb 16.
- Results publication: PubMed 24429437Roberts JA, Paul SK, Akova M, Bassetti M, De Waele JJ, Dimopoulos G, Kaukonen KM, Koulenti D, Martin C, Montravers P, Rello J, Rhodes A, Starr T, Wallis SC, Lipman J; DALI Study. DALI: defining antibiotic levels in intensive care unit patients: are current beta-lactam antibiotic doses sufficient for critically ill patients? Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Apr;58(8):1072-83. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu027. Epub 2014 Jan 14.
- Results publication: PubMed 20594297Taccone FS, Laterre PF, Dugernier T, Spapen H, Delattre I, Wittebole X, De Backer D, Layeux B, Wallemacq P, Vincent JL, Jacobs F. Insufficient beta-lactam concentrations in the early phase of severe sepsis and septic shock. Crit Care. 2010;14(4):R126. doi: 10.1186/cc9091. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
- Results publication: PubMed 23318279Binder L, Schworer H, Hoppe S, Streit F, Neumann S, Beckmann A, Wachter R, Oellerich M, Walson PD. Pharmacokinetics of meropenem in critically ill patients with severe infections. Ther Drug Monit. 2013 Feb;35(1):63-70. doi: 10.1097/FTD.0b013e31827d496c.
- Results publication: PubMed 27655029Petersson J, Giske CG, Eliasson E. Standard dosing of piperacillin and meropenem fail to achieve adequate plasma concentrations in ICU patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2016 Nov;60(10):1425-1436. doi: 10.1111/aas.12808. Epub 2016 Sep 21.
- Results publication: PubMed 21440486Mouton JW, Ambrose PG, Canton R, Drusano GL, Harbarth S, MacGowan A, Theuretzbacher U, Turnidge J. Conserving antibiotics for the future: new ways to use old and new drugs from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic perspective. Drug Resist Updat. 2011 Apr;14(2):107-17. doi: 10.1016/j.drup.2011.02.005. Epub 2011 Mar 26.
- Results publication: PubMed 26974879Roberts JA, Abdul-Aziz MH, Davis JS, Dulhunty JM, Cotta MO, Myburgh J, Bellomo R, Lipman J. Continuous versus Intermittent beta-Lactam Infusion in Severe Sepsis. A Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data from Randomized Trials. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Sep 15;194(6):681-91. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201601-0024OC.
- Results publication: PubMed 19384201Roberts JA, Webb S, Paterson D, Ho KM, Lipman J. A systematic review on clinical benefits of continuous administration of beta-lactam antibiotics. Crit Care Med. 2009 Jun;37(6):2071-8. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181a0054d.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ingvild Nordøy, PhD principal investigator
Oslo University Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Meropenem 1000 mg in people with Drug Effect, run by Oslo University Hospital at 1 site in Norway.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ingvild Nordøy, PhD (+4793028084, inordoy@ous-hf.no), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 50 % of the time (2 mg/l) (time frame: After 24, 48 and 72 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05578586, which also lists 15 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Apr 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.