Advanced Consumer Information

meropenem (Intravenous route)

mer-oh-PEN-em

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

Merrem IV

Available Dosage Forms:

Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: Beta-Lactam

Chemical Class: Carbapenem

Uses For meropenem

Meropenem injection is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. meropenem will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. Meropenem is an antibiotic.

meropenem is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, meropenem is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Febrile neutropenia (treatment)

Before Using meropenem

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For meropenem, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to meropenem or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of meropenem in children below 3 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of meropenem in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment of dose in patients receiving meropenem.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using meropenem with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Valproic Acid

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of meropenem

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child meropenem. meropenem is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using meropenem

It is very important that your doctor check your progress to make sure that meropenem is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Meropenem may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive meropenem.

Some patients may develop tremors or seizures while receiving meropenem. If you or your child already have a history of seizures and you are taking a medicine called valproic acid (Depakene®), continue taking the medicine and tell your doctor.

Meropenem may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

meropenem Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

Redness and swelling at the site of injection

Less common

Bluish lips or skin
chills
cold, clammy skin
confusion
dizziness
fainting
fast heartbeat
fast, weak pulse
fever
itching skin
lightheadedness
not breathing
pain at the place of injection
rapid, shallow breathing
skin rash and itching
sweating
wheezing

Rare

Abdominal or stomach cramps and severe pain
agitation
anxiety
black, bloody, or tarry stools
black, bloody vomit
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred vision
burning while urinating
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
convulsions (seizures)
cough
dark urine
decreased urine output
depression
diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
difficult or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
dilated neck veins
extreme fatigue
fever with or without chills
headache
hostility
irregular breathing
irritability
lethargy
light-colored stools
loss of consciousness
muscle twitching
nausea
nervousness
no blood pressure or pulse
nosebleed
pale skin
pounding in the ears
rapid weight gain
severe constipation
severe vomiting
slow, irregular heartbeat
stopping of the heart
stupor
tightness in the chest
tingling of the hands or feet
troubled breathing with exertion
unconsciousness
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weight gain
yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
chest pain
cough or hoarseness
general body swelling
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
shortness of breath
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swollen glands

Some side effects 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

Constipation

Less common

Body aches or pain
cold hands and feet
cold sweats
congestion
cool pale skin
dryness or soreness of the throat
increased hunger
indigestion
nightmares
passing of gas
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
runny nose
shakiness
slurred speech
sneezing
stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
trouble in swallowing
vaginal yeast infection
voice changes

Rare

Acid or sour stomach
belching
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
full feeling
heartburn
hives or welts
redness of the skin
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sleeplessness
sore mouth or tongue
sores on the skin
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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