Merrem
PronunciationGeneric Name: meropenem (mer oh PEH nem)
Brand Names: Merrem
What is Merrem?
Merrem is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.
Merrem is used in the treatment of infections of the abdomen, such as appendicitis and peritonitis, bacterial meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), and skin infections.
Merrem may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
Important information about Merrem
Do not take Merrem without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to meropenem, imipenem (Primaxin), a penicillin antibiotic, or a cephalosporin antibiotic.Before taking Merrem
Do not take Merrem without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to meropenem, imipenem (Primaxin), a penicillin antibiotic, or a cephalosporin antibiotic.Before taking Merrem, talk to your doctor if you have
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can react adversely with over 85 prescription medications.
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a head injury or brain tumor;
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epilepsy or a seizure disorder; or
- kidney disease.
You may not be able to use Merrem, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Merrem is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Merrem without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Merrem passes into breast milk. Do not take Merrem without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How should I take Merrem?
Merrem will be administered as an intravenous (into a vein) injection by a healthcare provider.
If you are using Merrem at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.
It is important to take Merrem regularly to get the most benefit.
Take all of the Merrem that has been prescribed for you, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Merrem to monitor progress and side effects.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Merrem is usually administered by a healthcare provider, missing a dose is not likely to occur.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of Merrem is suspected.Symptoms of a Merrem overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking Merrem?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities during treatment with Merrem unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Merrem side effects
If you experience a rare but serious side effects, stop taking Merrem and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:-
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
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seizures;
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severe or watery diarrhea;
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a skin rash;
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unusual tiredness or weakness; or
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unusual bleeding or bruising.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use Merrem and talk to your doctor if you experience:
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nausea or vomiting;
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diarrhea or constipation;
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headache; or
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soreness, redness, or mild swelling at the injection site.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Merrem side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Merrem?
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking Merrem if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
More Merrem resources
- Merrem Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Merrem MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Merrem Monograph (AHFS DI)
- meropenem Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Meropenem Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Meropenem Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Merrem with other medications
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about Merrem written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Meropenem is available with a prescription under then brand name Merrem. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Merrem, especially if it is new to you.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
- Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
