Merrem Description

Merrem is an injectible broad spectrum antibiotic that is administered to treat serious bacterial infections in adults and in children older than three months , including severe infections of the skin or stomach, as well as bacterial meningitis (infection of brain or spinal cord). Merrem will be injected into a large muscle or added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for at least fifteen minutes or more, one to three times a day.

How Merrem Reduces Bacterial Growth

Merrem and generic Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic which is related to the penicillin family of antibiotics. Merrem kills the bacteria by binding to a certain protein that is essential to bacteria for the building of their protective cell membranes. Without the protein, the integrity of their cell membranes is impaired and the bacteria are unable to grow or multiply. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

You may be shown how and where to inject Merrem into your own muscle once the infection has been brought under control as this will be more convenient for you to do at home.

Conditions Treated by Merrem

Meropenem is used in the treatment of infections of the abdomen, such as appendicitis and peritonitis, bacterial meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), and skin infections.

Bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. Bacterial meningitis can affect any age group, but is more common in babies and young children. Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment with antibiotics such as Merrem.

Before Merrem is Injected

To make sure it is safe for you to take Merrem or generic Meropenem, advise your doctor if you have: a kidney disorder; a head injury or brain tumor; epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Ask your doctor if Merrem may be harmful if administered while you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Discuss other medical conditions and allergies you have so your doctor can determine if Merrem is safe to administer to you.

Merrem Precautions

Merrem or generic Meropenem should not be combined with Depakene or Depakote because Merrem may reduce absorption of these drugs from the intestine and increase elimination of the drugs through the kidneys thereby reducing the levels of these drugs in your body and their effectiveness.

Probenecid may increase levels of Meropenem by reducing its elimination through the kidneys. Increased levels of Meropenem in the body could increase side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Possible Side Effects of Merrem

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

More serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately include: anxiety, confusion, seizures, yellowing of the skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, irregular heartbeat, red or white patches in the mouth, dark urine, breathing problems, a change in blood pressure.

Drugs Similar to Merrem

• Primaxin
• Cleocin
• Invanz