OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency and economy of meropenem and imipenem cistatin sodium in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection. METHODS: A total of 254 patients with lower respiratory tract infection who were treated with meropenem or imipenem and cilastatin sodium alone in the respiratory department of Kunming Yan’an Hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them

there were 208 patients in meropenem group and 46 patients in imipenem and cilastatin sodium group. Clinical efficacy

adverse drug reactions and drug economy of two groups were observed. RESULTS: Among 208 cases of meropenem group

131 cases were cured

with the cure rate of 62. 98%; among 46 cases of imipenem and cilastatin sodium group

33 cases were cured

with the cure rate of 71. 74%

there was no significant difference in the cure rate between two groups（ P>0. 05）. The bacterial clearance rate was 100% in both groups and no adverse drug reactions were observed. There were no significant differences in medication duration

total drug cost and average drug daily cost between two groups（ P >0. 05）. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical efficacy and economy of meropenem and imipenem cistatin sodium in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection are comparable with higher safety.