Pronunciation:

mer-oh-PEN-em

Brand Names:

• Merrem IV

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

Beta-Lactam

Chemical—

Carbapenem

Uses of This Medicine:

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

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before Using This Medicine:

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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.

Children—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of meropenem injection in children 3 months of age and older with complicated skin and skin structure infections and bacterial meningitis, and for children with intra-abdominal infections. Safety and efficacy have been established.

Older adults—

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

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.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine 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.

• Bupropion
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Valproic Acid

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Probenecid

Other interactions—

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.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens, history of—Use may increase the risk for an allergic reaction to reoccur.

• Brain infection (eg, meningitis) caused by bacteria or
• Brain lesion (eg, tumor) or
• Seizures, history of—May cause side effects to become worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects of may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will need to stay in place for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

Meropenem may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which 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 receiving this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

Some patients may develop tremors or seizures while receiving this medicine. If you or your child already have a history of seizures and you are taking anticonvulsants, you should continue unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you are taking divalproex sodium (Depakote®) or valproic acid (Depakene®).

Meropenem may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. 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.

This medicine may cause seizures, confusion, headaches, numbness or tingling sensation. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless thy have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

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:

Less common

Bluish lips or skin

chills

cold, clammy skin

confusion

dizziness

fainting

fast heartbeat

fast, weak pulse

fever

itching, skin rash

lightheadedness

rapid, shallow breathing

sweating

Rare

Agitation

black, bloody, or tarry stools

black, bloody vomit

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blurred vision

burning sensation while urinating

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

cough

dark urine

decreased awareness or responsiveness

decreased urine output

depression

diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody

difficult or painful urination

difficulty with breathing

dilated neck veins

extreme tiredness or weakness

fever with or without chills

headache

hives or welts

hostility

irregular breathing

irritability

light-colored stools

loss of consciousness

muscle twitching

nausea

no blood pressure or pulse

nosebleed

pale skin

pounding in the ears

rapid weight gain

seizures

severe constipation

severe vomiting

severe sleepiness

slow, irregular heartbeat

stomach cramps, severe

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing with exertion

unconsciousness

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

unusual weight gain or loss

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

weight gain

white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chest pain

confusion as to time, place, or person

cough

general body swelling

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

hoarseness

holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact

joint or muscle pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

swollen glands

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

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

redness and swelling at the injection site

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 swallowing

vaginal yeast infection

voice changes

Rare

Belching

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

full feeling

heartburn

redness of the skin

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

trouble sleeping

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.