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Meropenem is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Meropenem is used to treat severe infections of the skin or stomach. Meropenem is also used to treat bacterial meningitis (infection that causes inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord).
Meropenem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before you receive meropenem, tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to any antibiotic medications.
You may not be able to use meropenem if you have ever had an allergic reaction to meropenem or to certain antibiotics, such as:
amoxicillin, ampicillin, Augmentin, Timentin, Unasyn, Zosyn;
cefdinir, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cephalexin, and other cephalosporin antibiotics;
dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, ticarcillin; or
any penicillin antibiotic.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Meropenem is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Meropenem must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use meropenem if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Do not mix other injectable medications in the same IV bag or tubing with meropenem.
Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Meropenem will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
If you use meropenem long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.
Store unopened vials at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat.
After mixing your medicine, you will need to use it within a certain number of hours. This will depend on the diluent and how you store the mixture (at cool room temperature, or in a refrigerator). Carefully follow the mixing and storage instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions.
Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how meropenem will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
a seizure (convulsions);
sores or white patches in your mouth or throat (yeast infection or "thrush");
severe tingling or numbness; or
low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.
Common side effects may include:
headache;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
rash; or
anemia.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
divalproex sodium;
probenecid; or
valproic acid.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect meropenem, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Meropenem (www.drugs.com/mtm/meropenem.html).
Applies to meropenem: intravenous powder for solution
Along with its needed effects, meropenem may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking meropenem:
Less common
Rare
Incidence not known
Some side effects of meropenem may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Rare
Applies to meropenem: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution
In clinical trials (n=2904), this drug was discontinued in 1.2% of patients due to side effects; 5 deaths were possibly drug-related. In a review of 4872 patients, diarrhea, rash, nausea/vomiting, injection site inflammation, thrombocytosis and increased hepatic enzymes were reported most often.
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, gastrointestinal disorder, abdominal pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oral moniliasis/candidiasis, flatulence, ileus, dyspepsia, intestinal obstruction
Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, antibiotic-associated colitis, pseudomembranous colitis
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, seizure, paresthesia, somnolence, syncope, asthenia
Frequency not reported: Hearing loss, other adverse central nervous system (CNS) experiences
Seizures and other adverse CNS experiences have been reported. They have occurred most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (e.g., history of seizures, brain lesions) or with bacterial meningitis and/or renal dysfunction.
Seizures occurred more often in patients with moderately severe renal dysfunction.
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, hypochromic anemia, bleeding events (including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, melena, epistaxis, hemoperitoneum), thrombocythemia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased platelets, increased eosinophils, decreased platelets, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit, decreased white blood cells, decreased prothrombin time, decreased partial thromboplastin time, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia
Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis, positive Coombs test (direct or indirect), hemolytic anemia
Shock occurred more often in patients with moderately severe renal dysfunction.
Common (1% to 10%): Pain, inflammation, sepsis/septicemia, shock, accidental injury
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, fever, back pain, chills, pelvic pain, peripheral edema, abdominal enlargement
Common (1% to 10%): Inflammation at the injection site, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, pain at the injection site
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reactions, edema at the injection site
Common (1% to 10%): Rash (including diaper/nappy area moniliasis), pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, sweating, skin ulcer
Postmarketing reports: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, erythema multiforme, severe skin reactions
Common (1% to 10%): Apnea, pharyngitis, pneumonia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory disorder, dyspnea, pleural effusion, asthma, increased cough, hypoxia, lung edema
Frequency not reported: Respiratory failure
Heart failure occurred more often in patients with moderately severe renal dysfunction.
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral vascular disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Heart failure, heart arrest, tachycardia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus, bradycardia, hypotension
Common (1% to 10%): Increased transaminases
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased AST, increased ALT, increased bilirubin, hepatic failure, cholestatic jaundice/jaundice
Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased lactate dehydrogenase
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hypervolemia, hypokalemia
Kidney failure occurred more often in patients with moderately severe renal dysfunction.
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Kidney failure, increased creatinine, increased BUN
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia, agitation/delirium, confusion, nervousness, hallucinations, anxiety, depression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, vaginal moniliasis/candidiasis, urinary incontinence, red blood cells in urine
Frequency not reported: Serum sickness-like reactions, cross-sensitivity in penicillin-allergic and cephalosporin-allergic patients, anaphylaxis
Frequency not reported: Myalgia, arthralgia
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Meropenem (www.drugs.com/mtm/meropenem.html).
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