Merrem

Pronunciation: MER-oh-PEN-em
Generic Name: Meropenem
Brand Name: Merrem

Merrem is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Merrem is a carbapenem antibiotic. It kills bacteria by blocking the growth of the bacteria's cell wall.

Do NOT use Merrem if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Merrem or to another beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)


• you are taking probenecid

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Merrem:

Some medical conditions may interact with Merrem. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had an allergic reaction (eg, rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling, dizziness) to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin)


• if you have kidney problems, bacterial meningitis, or a history of seizures or central nervous system problems (eg, brain lesions), or you are in shock


• if you are on dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Merrem. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Probenecid because it may increase the actions and the risk of Merrem's side effects


• Valproic acid because its effectiveness may be decreased by Merrem


• Other medicines that may increase your risk of seizures (eg, tramadol) because the risk of seizures may be further increased when combined with Merrem. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about whether any of your other medicines may increase your risk for seizures

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Merrem may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Merrem:

Use Merrem as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Merrem is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Merrem at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Merrem. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Merrem if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• To clear up your infection completely, use Merrem for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Merrem, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Merrem.

Important safety information:

• Merrem may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Merrem with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Be sure to use Merrem for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Merrem only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Long-term or repeated use of Merrem may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, liver function, and blood counts, may be performed while you use Merrem. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Merrem with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Merrem should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Use Merrem with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or the bowel.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Merrem while you are pregnant. It is not known if Merrem is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Merrem, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Merrem:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; headache; mild diarrhea; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloating; bloody stools; breathing problems; chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; depression; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; joint pain or tenderness; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, confusion); numbness or tingling of the skin; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe stomach cramps or pain; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands or feet; tremors or abnormal muscle movements; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual vaginal odor or discharge; vein swelling or tenderness; white patches in the mouth; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Merrem side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include seizures; slow breathing; tremors.

Proper storage of Merrem:

Merrem is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Merrem at home, store Merrem as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Merrem out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Merrem, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Merrem is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Merrem. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Merrem resources

• Merrem Side Effects (in more detail)
• Merrem Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Merrem Drug Interactions
• Merrem Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Merrem - Add your own review/rating

• Merrem Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Merrem Consumer Overview


• Merrem Monograph (AHFS DI)


• meropenem Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Meropenem Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Meropenem Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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