Meropenem: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Meropenem?

What is Meropenem for?

Meropenem is an antibiotic drug that works to treat bacterial infections. This drug belongs to the carbapenem beta-lactam antibacterial class. This type of antibiotic works by preventing and inhibiting the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

Meropenem is a broad spectrum antibiotic. Usually doctors use this drug to fight severe bacterial infections such as meningitis, sepsis, appendicitis or infections that attack the skin. It is important to understand that this medicine cannot be used to treat infections caused by viruses, such as the flu.

This medication is only available by prescription and should not be used carelessly. You may receive close supervision by your doctor while taking this drug. This is done to avoid dangerous and fatal side effects.

How is Meropenem used?

Meropenem is an antibiotic drug that is only available in parenteral form, which is given by infusion or injection into a vein. Therefore, this drug should be given by a doctor or medical personnel who are trained and professional.

Do not attempt to self-administer the drug into a vein. Without proper supervision, your condition may get worse or you may experience dangerous side effects.

Usually the doctor will give this drug every 8 hours. However, the administration of this drug may be faster or slower, depending on the needs of each patient.

The dosage of this drug is adjusted to the medical condition and the patient's response to treatment. Especially for children, the dose is adjusted according to their body weight.

Antibiotic drugs will work more optimally if used regularly as recommended by a doctor. In order not to forget, make sure you use this medicine at the same time every day.

During treatment with this type of antibiotic, you may need to undergo periodic health checks, including blood tests. This is done to monitor the patient's kidney and liver condition. Because, this drug could affect the function of these two organs.

Even if the symptoms disappear within a few days, continue using this medication until the recommended treatment period has ended. Stopping treatment too early can cause bacterial growth to continue, which can invite the infection to recur.

Do not hesitate to see a doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse. The sooner your condition is treated, the easier it will be to treat it. Plus, your chances of getting better sooner will also be greater.

How is Meropenem stored?

Meropenem is a type of antibiotic that should be stored at room temperature. Keep this medication away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Meropenem dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Meropenem for adults?

To treat bacterial infections, the recommended dose of this drug is 500 milligrams (mg) given by injection or infusion every 8 hours.

In patients with pneumonia, peritonitis, septicemia, and neutropenia, the dose of the drug can be increased 2 times, to 1 gram (g). The medicine is given by injection or infusion every 8 hours.

Meanwhile, the dose of the drug to treat meningitis is 2 grams given every 8 hours.

Each person will probably get a different dose. The doctor determines the dosage based on the patient's health condition and response to treatment. Always ask your doctor about the safety of the dose of the medicine you are taking.

What is the dosage of Meropenem for children?

The dose of the drug in children is adjusted according to their body weight (BW).

To treat infection with pneumonia, peritonitis, septicemia, and neutropenia in children aged 3 to 12 years, drug doses can range from 10-20 mg / kgBW. Medication will be given every 8 hours.

The recommended dosage for children with meningitis is 40 mg / kg, given every 8 hours.

Meanwhile, for children aged 4-12 years who experience lower respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis, a drug dose of 25 to 40 mg / kg body weight is given every 8 hours.

Children who weigh more than 50 kg, the dose is the same as adults.

In what dosage is Meropenem available?

This medication is available in 20 milliliter (ml) and 30 ml injection tubes with a strength of 500 mg or 1 gram.

Meropenem side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Meropenem?

Just like other medicines, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects that patients complain about after taking the drug Metopenem are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Swelling and pain at the injection site
• Headache

It is better to stop treatment and seek medical attention immediately if you experience anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction characterized by itching all over the body, red or pale skin, difficulty breathing, a weak or fast heart rate, and swelling of the throat, lips and face.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you are concerned about the side effects please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Meropenem Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Meropenem?

This medicine should not be used carelessly. Before using this medication, make sure you understand the following:

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to meropenem, penicillin, cephalosporins [cefaclor (Cefaclor), cefadroxil (Duricef), or cephalexin (Keflex) and other drugs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are regularly taking any type of medicine. Especially probenecid (Benemid), valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote).
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had kidney and liver function problems.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had a head injury, brain tumor, epilepsy, or other seizure disorder.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Is Meropenem safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether Meropenem can pass into breast milk and whether it could harm the baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Meropenem Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Meropenem?

Interactions with other drugs can affect how the drug works and increase the risk of dangerous side effects. This article does not list all possible drug interactions.

Record all medicinal products you use (including prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines) and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's permission.

Some of the drugs that have the potential to cause interactions with metopenem drugs are:

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Divalproex sodium
• Encorafenib
• Entecavir
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl estradiol
• Fluphenazine
• Iohexol
• Iopamidol
• Metrizamide
• Mycophenolate mofetil
• Mycophenolic acid
• Pemetrexed
• Pretomanid
• Probenecid
• Teriflunomide
• Tramadol
• Valproic acid

There may be many other drugs that can interact with this drug. Therefore, make sure you tell your doctor about all the medicines you are regularly taking recently. This simple thing is important to do to prevent dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Can food or alcohol interact with Meropenem?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Meropenem?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Allergy to penicillins, sephalosporins, and other allergies.
• Bacterial brain infection
• Head injury affecting the brain
• Seizures, this drug can cause side effects that can be more severe
• Kidney and liver disease

There may be many other health conditions that can interact with this drug. Therefore, make sure you tell your doctor about any medical history that you have or are currently experiencing. This simple thing is important to do to prevent dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Meropenem overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, they will usually experience typical symptoms such as:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.