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Overview: Recarbrio is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain infections of the lung, bladder, kidney, and abdomen (belly area). Common side effects are diarrhea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Tell your health care provider if you are taking a medicine for seizures or have a history of seizures before starting Recarbrio. Talk to your health care provider right away if you get severe diarrhea, even several months after stopping the medicine.

Uses

What is Recarbrio used for?

Recarbrio (imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam) is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Recarbrio 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 Recarbrio, which will make it not work as well.

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

How does Recarbrio work (mechanism of action)?

Recarbrio contains imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam. Imipenem kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create their cell wall. Cilastatin works to keep imipenem in the body longer. Some bacteria can produce substances that reduce the effects of imipenem. Relebactam destroys these substances, which allows imipenem to keep working.

How is Recarbrio supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Recarbrio

Dosage forms and strengths

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

How should I store Recarbrio?

Recarbrio 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 Recarbrio?

The most common side effects of Recarbrio are listed below. These side effects may vary based on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Increases in liver enzymes
  • Pain, itching, hardness, and swelling or redness near where you got the shot
  • Fever
  • High blood pressure
  • Low levels of red blood cells (anemia)
  • Low levels of potassium or sodium

There may be other side effects of Recarbrio 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. 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 Recarbrio?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Recarbrio may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Recarbrio and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • A fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, a skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Seizures. Some people who have used Recarbrio have reported having seizures and confusion. This happens most often in people who have 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 of seizures while using Recarbrio. 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 Recarbrio. 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

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Recarbrio?

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

  • Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam
  • Recarbrio
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Recarbrio.

What should I know about Recarbrio before using it?

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

Recarbrio can increase your risk of seizures and confusion. It is important that you take any seizure medicine as prescribed while using Recarbrio. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Recarbrio affects you.

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

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 Recarbrio 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
  • Stroke
  • Kidney problems
  • Allergy to an antibiotic, especially a penicillin or cephalosporin

Other Medicines and Supplements. Recarbrio may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Recarbrio, 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. Recarbrio may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is unknown if Recarbrio passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Recarbrio while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Recarbrio?

For more information about Recarbrio, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.merckconnect.com or call them at 800-672-6372.

Interactions

Does Recarbrio interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Recarbrio, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. The risk of confusion may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Recarbrio.

Does Recarbrio 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 Recarbrio.

  • Ganciclovir, which is a medicine used to treat certain viral infections caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • 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 Recarbrio. 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 Recarbrio?

If you or someone else has used too much Recarbrio, 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 Recarbrio?

Recarbrio is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Recarbrio as scheduled.

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