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Meropenem is an antibiotic that is used to treat infections of the skin, abdomen (belly area), brain, and spinal cord. The most common side effects are headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Tell your health care provider if you are taking seizure medicine or have a history of seizures before starting meropenem. Talk to your health care provider right away if you get severe diarrhea (even several months after stopping the medicine) or a rash.

Uses

What is meropenem used for?

Meropenem is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Meropenem may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to meropenem, which will make it not work as well.

Meropenem may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does meropenem work (mechanism of action)?

Meropenem kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create their cell wall.

How is meropenem supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Merrem 

Dosage forms and strengths

Meropenem is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store meropenem?

Meropenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of meropenem?

The most common side effects of meropenem are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Low levels of red blood cells (anemia)
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of meropenem that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of meropenem?

While less common, the most serious side effects of meropenem are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Meropenem may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, or DRESS. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Meropenem can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), erythema multiforme (EM), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Seizures. Some people who have used meropenem have reported having seizures. This happens most often in people who have an infection in the brain (meningitis), a history of seizures, kidney problems, or other brain conditions. People who take certain medicines to treat a seizure disorder may also be at an increased risk for seizures while using meropenem. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements 
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including meropenem. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen two or more months after stopping the antibiotic. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your poop
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • A fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Severely Low Platelet Levels. Meropenem can cause you to have a severely low number of platelets in your blood, also called thrombocytopenia. Platelets help to form blood clots. Having a low level of platelets may increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of low platelet levels.

  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Bleeding that does not stop
  • Nosebleeds

Decreased Mental Alertness or Coordination. Meropenem can affect your alertness or coordination by causing seizures, confusion (delirium), headaches, and/or skin numbness or tingling. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how meropenem affects you.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use meropenem?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use meropenem.

  • Meropenem
  • Merrem
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific meropenem products they stock.

Allergies to Certain Antibiotics. You should not use meropenem if you have an allergy to certain types of antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, or monobactams. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

What should I know about meropenem before using it?

Meropenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Meropenem can increase your risk of seizures. See the Side Effects section for more details. If you have a history of seizures, it is important that you take any seizure medicine as prescribed while using meropenem. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using meropenem?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if meropenem is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Seizures
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Meropenem may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using meropenem, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how meropenem could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Meropenem passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use meropenem while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does meropenem interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between meropenem and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect meropenem, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. Mental alertness may be further decreased if you drink alcohol while using meropenem. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while using meropenem.

Does meropenem interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using meropenem. 

  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Valproic acid, divalproex sodium, and valproate sodium (Depakote and others), which is a medicine used for seizures and other conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with meropenem. Always check with your health care provider. 

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much meropenem?

If you or someone else has used too much meropenem, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of meropenem?

Meropenem is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving meropenem as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your meropenem dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of meropenem, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to meropenem or other similar medicines.