meropenem + zidovudine

Meropenem + zidovudine is an investigational combination therapy consisting of the carbapenem antibiotic meropenem and the nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) zidovudine (also known as AZT). This combination is being studied for its potential to treat infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR), carbapenemase-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Meropenem acts by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis through binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to cell lysis. Zidovudine, primarily used as an antiretroviral agent against HIV by inhibiting reverse transcriptase, has demonstrated antibacterial properties in vitro and in vivo against MDR gram-negative bacteria when combined with other antibiotics. The mechanism behind the enhanced efficacy of this combination appears to be additive or indifferent rather than synergistic but results in improved outcomes compared to monotherapy in preclinical infection models[1][3]. This approach represents a drug repurposing strategy aimed at addressing critical gaps in treatment options for highly resistant bacterial pathogens.

Other names

meropenem and zidovudinemeropenem plus zidovudineAZT + meropenem