meropenem trihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotic
How it is given
Into a vein, as an injection or infusion depending on the product
Licensed age group
Adults and children aged 3 months and older
Main role
Treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible bacteria
What is meropenem trihydrate used for?
Selected products are licensed for the following infections in adults and children aged 3 months and older when meropenem is clinically appropriate:
Severe pneumonia, including hospital- or ventilator-associated pneumonia
Bronchopulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis
Complicated urinary tract infection
Complicated intra-abdominal infection
Infection during or after childbirth
Complicated skin and soft-tissue infection
Acute bacterial meningitis
Suspected bacterial infection causing fever in neutropenia
Bacteraemia associated with, or suspected to be associated with, these infections
How does meropenem trihydrate work?
Meropenem binds to bacterial penicillin-binding proteins and blocks cell-wall construction, causing bacteria to die. It has activity against many Gram-positive, Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria, although resistance can prevent it from working.
meropenem trihydrate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 500 mg, 1000 mg, 2 g
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 mg, 1 g
How to take meropenem trihydrate
Meropenem must be given into a vein. It is normally prepared and administered by healthcare professionals. Self-administration should only occur after formal training and assessment by an outpatient intravenous antibiotic team.
It must not be swallowed.
Follow supplied line-care and aseptic instructions.
Report difficulty using the line, leakage, pain or discharge promptly.
Do not mix with other medicines unless compatibility is established for the specific product.
meropenem trihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash or itching
- Inflammation or pain where administered
- Changes in liver blood tests or platelet count
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergy, including breathing difficulty, collapse or facial or throat swelling
- Blistering, peeling or widespread severe skin reaction
- Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea, including after treatment
- Convulsions
- Signs of liver injury, such as jaundice or dark urine
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
- Unexplained bruising, bleeding, fever or recurrent infection suggesting altered blood-cell counts
meropenem trihydrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. Product information advises avoiding meropenem as a precaution where possible, but a prescriber may consider it when treatment of a serious infection is necessary and expected benefit outweighs uncertainty.
meropenem trihydrate while breastfeeding
Small amounts of meropenem can enter breast milk. Product information recommends an individual assessment of benefit to the mother and possible risk to the baby. Seek specialist advice particularly for premature or unwell infants.
meropenem trihydrate interactions
Review the complete medicine list before treatment, particularly:
Valproic acid, sodium valproate or valpromide
Carbapenems can rapidly and substantially lower valproate concentrations, risking loss of seizure control. Combined use is not recommended.
Probenecid
It reduces renal elimination of meropenem and can increase meropenem exposure, so co-administration requires caution.
Oral anticoagulants, including warfarin
Anticoagulant effect and INR may increase during infection and antibiotic treatment, requiring closer monitoring.
Common questions about meropenem trihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is meropenem trihydrate the same as meropenem?
Meropenem trihydrate is the hydrated substance used in the product; labels state the equivalent amount of active, anhydrous meropenem.
Is meropenem a penicillin?
No. It is a carbapenem, but both carbapenems and penicillins are beta-lactam antibiotics, so serious cross-allergy can occur.
Can meropenem be administered at home?
Sometimes, through a supervised outpatient intravenous antibiotic service. Patients or carers must be trained and assessed before self-administration.
Can meropenem be used after a penicillin allergy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.