Meropenem

Meropenem is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of bacterial meningitis, complicated skin, and skin structure, and complicated intra-abdominal infections.

• Meropenem is available under the following different brand names: Merrem IV.  

Common side effects of Meropenem include:

• headache, 
• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• diarrhea, 
• constipation, 
• rash, and
• anemia

Serious side effects of Meropenem include:

• severe stomach pain, 
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody, 
• convulsions, 
• sores or white patches in your mouth or throat (yeast infection or “thrush”), 
• severe tingling or numbness, 
• pale skin, 
• unusual tiredness, 
• lightheadedness, 
• shortness of breath, and
• cold hands or feet 

Rare side effects of Meropenem include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosages of Meropenem: powder for injectable solution

• 500mg/vial
• 1g/vial 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Meropenem has no known severe interactions with other drugs
• Meropenem has serious interactions with the following other drugs:
  • BCG vaccine live,
  • cholera vaccine,
  • typhoid vaccine live, and
  • valproic acid
• Meropenem has moderate interactions with at least 12 other drugs  
• Meropenem has mild interactions with the following other drugs:
  • balsalazide,
  • biotin, 
  • pantothenic acid, 
  • pyridoxine, 
  • pyridoxine (Antidote), and
  • thiamine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.  Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, or concerns.

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), erythema multiforme, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
• Keep out of reach of children.  In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to IV components, beta-lactams, or other drugs in this class

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meropenem?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meropenem?”

Cautions

• Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, including fatalities; these reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens
• Seizures have been reported, most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (eg, brain lesions, history of seizures) or with bacterial meningitis or compromised renal function
• Seizures, headaches, or paresthesia may occur, potentially interfering with mental alertness or causing motor impairment
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea has been reported
• To avoid the development of drug resistance, drugs should be used only in proven or strongly suspected bacterial infections or a prophylactic indication
• Prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms
• Thrombocytopenia has been reported in patients with renal impairment
• Co-administration of meropenem IV with valproic acid or divalproex sodium reduces serum concentrations of valproic acid potentially increasing the risk of breakthrough seizures
• Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), erythema multiforme (EM), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) reported; if signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear, therapy should be withdrawn immediately, and an alternative treatment considered

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are insufficient data to establish whether there is a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriages with meropenem in pregnant women 
• Meropenem is excreted in milk, no information is available on the effects of the drug on the breastfed child or milk production; the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from therapy or the underlying maternal condition