TABLE 1.

Maximum daily drug dosages projected, maximum concentrations tested, and pH values of the the corresponding solutions

Drug(s)	Projected daily dosage (g)a	Maximum concn tested (g/liter)b	pHc
Aztreonam	8	100*	4.8
Piperacillin	16	128*	5.7
Piperacillin + tazobactam	16	128*	6.2
Azlocillin	20	128*	7.3
Mezlocillin	20	128*	5.7
Ceftazidime	6	120	7.4
Cefepime	6	50	4.5
Cefpirome	4	32	7.3
Imipenem + cilastatin	4	8	7.8
Meropenem	6	64*	8.2
Faropenem		64	6.8

^aThat is, the highest recommended dosage for severe, life-threatening infection and/or cystic fibrosis, based on the official registration information (Belgian package inserts for all, except for imipenem [U.S. package insert data]); for faropenem, for which no pertinent registration data are available, the values of meropenem were used.

^bCorresponding to the maximum daily dose in a volume of 48 ml (used for intensive care patients) for ceftazidime. For all other drugs, lower concentrations had to be used for the reasons indicated. Symbols: *, higher concentrations caused unacceptable viscosity; , higher concentrations caused a marked change of color after a few hours at 37°C; , limit of solubility (precipitation observed at >10 g/liter).

^cValue observed after dissolution of the product (supplied as for hospital-based usage, except for azlocillin, mezlocillin, and faropenem) at the concentration indicated without adjustment.