Merrem IV (Intravenous)

Meropenem injection is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria or stopping them from growing. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

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

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 they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in children 3 months of age and older that would limit the use of meropenem injection for complicated skin and skin structure infections, bacterial meningitis, or intra-abdominal infections. Its safety and effectiveness have been established.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the use of meropenem injection. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney issues related to age, which may require caution and a dose adjustment when receiving meropenem injection.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if interactions might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or take other precautions. When receiving this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are significant and not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If both are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency for one or both.

• Bupropion
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estetrol
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Etonogestrel
• Gestodene
• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone
• Mestranol
• Nomegestrol
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Segesterone
• Ulipristal
• Valproic Acid

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency for one or both.

• Probenecid

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating certain foods due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical problems may affect how this medicine works. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

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

• Brain infection (e.g., meningitis) caused by bacteria or
• Brain lesion (e.g., tumor) or
• History of seizures—May worsen side effects.

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

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.

In the U.S.

• Merrem IV

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: Beta-Lactam

Chemical Class: Carbapenem

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.