Details

Meropenem is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. Meropenem is used to treat severe infections of the skin or stomach. Meropenem is also used to treat bacterial meningitis (infection of brain or spinal cord). To make sure meropenem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have history of head injury or brain tumour epilepsy or other seizure disorder or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Typical Uses

Meropenem is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is known as a carbapenem-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Side Effects

Common meropenem side effects may include diarrhoea that is watery or bloody seizure (convulsions) sores or white patches in your mouth or throat (yeast infection or "thrush") or pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating.

Drug Interactions

• Meropenem+tramadol- Tramadol may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as meropenem may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.
• Meropenem+bupropion- Bupropion may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as meropenem may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.
• Meropenem+metrizamide- Before you undergo any imaging procedure where metrizamide may be injected directly into the spine let your doctor know if you are currently being treated with meropenem. Injection of metrizamide into the spine can sometimes cause seizures, and the risk may be increased if you are also using other medications that can cause seizures such as meropenem.
• Meropenem+iopamidol- Before you undergo any imaging procedure where iopamidol may be injected directly into the spine let your doctor know if you are currently being treated with meropenem. Injection of iopamidol into the spine can sometimes cause seizures, and the risk may be increased if you are also using other medications that can cause seizures such as meropenem.

Mechanism of action

Meropenem belongs to a group of medicines called carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotics. It kills bacteria by inhibiting bacterial cell wall (outer coating of bacteria) formation. As a result, the bacterial cell wall is weakened and ruptures, thereby killing the bacteria.

Pregnancy Category : B