Meropenem

Pronunciation: mer-oh-PEN-em.

Generic name
meropenem
Drug class
Carbapenem antibiotic (broad-spectrum beta-lactam)
Form
Powder for solution for injection or infusion, 500 mg or 1 g vials
Route
Intravenous (IV) infusion or injection
Legal status
Prescription-only, hospital/clinician-administered

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: MERREM (plus multiple generics e.g. Meropenem GH, Meropenem Kabi) (5) · Full directory

What meropenem is and how it works

Meropenem is a prescription-only, broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic given by injection or infusion into a vein. It is used for serious bacterial infections, usually in a hospital or closely supervised clinical setting. (1)

Meropenem is given to you by a healthcare professional exactly as your prescriber directs, based on the type and severity of your infection and your kidney function -- it is not a fixed dose for everyone.

Mechanism of action: how meropenem works

Meropenem is a carbapenem-class beta-lactam antibiotic with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, acting by binding penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. (1) (2)

What meropenem is used for

Complicated skin and skin structure infections

Used to treat serious skin and soft tissue infections in adults and children aged 3 months and older. (1)

Complicated intra-abdominal infections

Used to treat serious infections within the abdomen, in adults and children. (1)

Bacterial meningitis

Used to treat bacterial meningitis in children aged 3 months and older caused by specific bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, or penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae). (1)

Other serious infections (varies by country)

In some countries meropenem is also used more broadly for severe pneumonia (including hospital- and ventilator-associated pneumonia), complicated urinary tract infections, infections in people with cystic fibrosis, infections around childbirth, and infections in people with a very low white blood cell count (febrile neutropenia). (2)

Before taking meropenem

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not receive meropenem if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it, to other carbapenem antibiotics, or a history of anaphylaxis to penicillins or cephalosporins. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any allergy to penicillin, cephalosporin, or other beta-lactam antibiotics, even if it was mild.
  • Any history of seizures, epilepsy, or other brain/nervous system conditions.
  • Any kidney problems, since your dose depends on your kidney function.
  • If you take valproic acid, sodium valproate, or valpromide for epilepsy or another condition.
  • Any history of colitis or bowel problems.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (2)

How to take meropenem

  • Meropenem is given by a healthcare professional as an injection or infusion into a vein, usually over about 15 to 30 minutes, or sometimes as a slower infusion depending on the infection.
  • It is not a medicine you take at home on your own -- it is prepared and administered by trained healthcare staff.
  • Complete the full course length your prescriber recommends, even if you start to feel better.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Since meropenem is given by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting, timing is managed by your care team. If you have concerns about your treatment schedule, discuss them with your prescriber or nursing team.

Overdose

Because meropenem is administered by healthcare professionals, overdose is managed directly by the clinical team monitoring your treatment, including supportive care and monitoring of kidney function and neurological status. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Diarrhoea.

What to notice: Diarrhoea.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Nausea or vomiting.

What to notice: Nausea or vomiting.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache.

What to notice: Headache.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, or discomfort where the infusion is given).

What to notice: Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, or discomfort where the infusion is given).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Rash, or oral or nappy-area thrush (candidiasis).

What to notice: Rash, or oral or nappy-area thrush (candidiasis).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Changes seen on blood tests, such as raised liver enzymes.

What to notice: Changes seen on blood tests, such as raised liver enzymes.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (2)

Serious warnings

Signs of a seizure or other nervous system problem — emergency

Symptoms: Convulsions/seizures, tremors, uncontrolled muscle jerking (myoclonus), or confusion.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. Seizures are a known carbapenem-class risk, with a higher chance in people with existing brain/nervous system conditions, reduced kidney function, or if dosing is not closely followed. Anticonvulsant medicines are usually continued during treatment if you already take them. (1)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (including in people with a penicillin allergy) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash, hives, or skin blistering/peeling.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. People with a history of severe allergic reaction to penicillins or cephalosporins may also react to meropenem because these antibiotics are chemically related. (1)

Signs of severe diarrhoea or colitis (C. difficile-associated diarrhoea) — high caution

Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or fever, which can start during treatment or up to two months or more after it ends.

Action: Tell a clinician promptly. This can range from mild to a serious bowel condition (colitis) and needs prompt medical assessment. (1)

Signs of muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) — high caution

Symptoms: Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or dark-coloured urine.

Action: Tell a clinician promptly for assessment, including blood tests for muscle enzymes. (1)

Interactions

  • Valproic acid, sodium valproate, or valpromide (medicines for epilepsy or other conditions): meropenem can substantially lower blood levels of these medicines, which can lead to breakthrough seizures -- this combination is generally avoided, and if meropenem is necessary, additional seizure-control measures may be needed. (1) (2)
  • Probenecid can raise meropenem levels in the blood by slowing its removal by the kidneys -- combining them is generally not recommended. (1)
  • Warfarin or other blood-thinning medicines: meropenem may increase their effect, so closer monitoring of blood clotting (INR) may be needed. (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

There is limited human data on meropenem in pregnancy. Animal studies at higher-than-recommended doses did not show clear evidence of harm to the developing baby, but it is generally used in pregnancy only when the expected benefit justifies the potential risk -- discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

Meropenem passes into breast milk in small amounts. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber before breastfeeding. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Approved for children aged 3 months and older for several serious infection types, including bacterial meningitis; dosing is based on body weight. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No dose adjustment is needed based on age alone if kidney function is normal, but kidney function is checked and monitored regardless of age. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

No dose adjustment is generally needed for liver problems, but liver function may still be monitored during treatment. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

Dose and/or frequency are reduced according to kidney function (creatinine clearance) -- this is a key factor your prescriber uses to set your dose. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Kidney function (creatinine clearance)
  • History of penicillin/cephalosporin/carbapenem allergy
  • History of seizures or CNS conditions
  • Review of other medicines, especially valproic acid/sodium valproate

During treatment

  • Kidney function monitoring, since dose depends on it.
  • Watching for signs of seizures or other neurological symptoms.
  • Watching for diarrhoea during and after treatment.
  • Liver function tests where clinically indicated.
  • Platelet counts, particularly in people with reduced kidney function.
(1)

Storage

Stored and prepared by pharmacy/clinical staff. Unopened vials are kept at controlled room temperature (about 20-25°C); once mixed into solution, it must not be frozen and has a limited time it can be used within, which your pharmacy team manages.

Study the drug class: Carbapenems

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information and UK SmPC; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Complicated skin/skin-structure infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, paediatric bacterial meningitis

Dose summary: Adults: 500mg IV every 8 hours (skin/skin-structure infections); 1g IV every 8 hours (intra-abdominal infections, or skin/skin-structure infections caused by P. aeruginosa). Paediatric bacterial meningitis (>=3 months): 40mg/kg every 8 hours, max 2g every 8 hours. Infusion over 15-30 minutes; doses up to 1g may be given as a slow IV bolus over about 5 minutes.

Renal context: Dose and/or dosing interval reduced stepwise as creatinine clearance falls; the UK SmPC describes reductions at creatinine clearance thresholds of 26-50, 10-25, and below 10 mL/min. (1) (2)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No specific dose adjustment required for hepatic impairment in the sources reviewed; liver function should still be monitored as clinically indicated given reported transaminase elevations and drug-induced liver injury reports.

Overdose note

Management is supportive, with attention to renal function, neurological status (seizure risk), and, where relevant, haemodialysis can remove meropenem and its metabolite from the circulation. (1) (2)

Frequently asked questions

Is meropenem available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, as the original brand (Merrem or Meronem) and as generic meropenem for injection. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Can I have meropenem if I am allergic to penicillin?

Tell your clinical team about any penicillin, cephalosporin, or other beta-lactam allergy before treatment. Meropenem belongs to a related antibiotic family (carbapenems), and cross-reaction is possible, especially if you have had a severe reaction before -- your prescriber will weigh this carefully. (1)

Can meropenem affect my other medicines, such as anti-seizure medicine?

Yes. Meropenem is generally not recommended with valproic acid or divalproex sodium, because it can substantially lower valproic acid levels and risk breakthrough seizures -- your care team may need to use a different anticonvulsant during treatment. Probenecid is also not recommended alongside meropenem, since it raises meropenem levels in the blood. Tell your clinical team about every medicine you take. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of meropenem?

Meropenem is a carbapenem-class beta-lactam antibiotic with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, acting by binding penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. (1) (2)

What is the generic name of Meropenem?

The generic name is meropenem. (1)

What class of drug is meropenem?

Meropenem is classed as: Carbapenem antibiotic (broad-spectrum beta-lactam). (1)

References

  1. MEROPENEM for injection -- full prescribing information (initial US approval 1996)U.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Meronem IV 500mg -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- AstraZeneca (Meronem IV) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Meropenem (Meronem and associated names) -- list of nationally authorised medicinal products / Article 30 referral harmonisationEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA), Periodic Safety Update Report Single Assessment (PSUSA); also subject of a 2010 Article 30 harmonisation referral · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. MERREM (meropenem for injection) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. MERREM (meropenem as trihydrate) -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. Meropenem (meropenem-AFT) New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient meropenem names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Meropenem for Injection (generic; original brand Merrem IV discontinued from originator, generics widely marketed) (1)FDA approved currently labeled · 500 mg/vial, 1 g/vial · multiple generic manufacturers

United Kingdom

  • Meronem IV (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 500 mg, 1 g · AstraZeneca (plus multiple generics)

Canada

  • MERREM PWS IV 500 MG/VIAL
  • MERREM PWS IV 1 G/VIAL

Australia

  • MERREM (plus multiple generics e.g. Meropenem GH, Meropenem Kabi) (5)TGA ARTG registered 1996-07-25 confirmed · 500 mg, 1 g · Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd (plus generics)

New Zealand

  • Meropenem-AFT (plus Meropenem Ranbaxy) (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · 500 mg, 1 g · AFT Pharmaceuticals (plus generics)
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Meronem (also Optinem, Merrem in some member states) (3)

This page provides general reference information about meropenem and is not a substitute for advice from the clinical team managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

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