Renal Function Assessment for Meropenem Dosing in Critically Ill Patients

Accuracy of Renal Function Measurement

• In critically ill patients, a 24‑hour measured urine creatinine clearance provides substantially greater accuracy than estimated equations (e.g., Cockcroft‑Gault, MDRD, CKD‑EPI), which can markedly over‑ or underestimate true renal function; therefore, measured clearance should be used for meropenem dose calculations when available. 1

Frequency of Renal Function Re‑evaluation

• Renal function can change rapidly in the intensive‑care setting; clinicians should recalculate creatinine clearance and adjust meropenem dosing whenever a patient’s clinical status or fluid balance shifts significantly. 1