Meropenem

Pronounced mer-oh-PEN-em

Brand names: Merrem

Type: Carbapenem antibiotic · All Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

What Meropenem is used for

  • Serious hospital infections of the abdomen, lungs, and skin
  • Meningitis (hospital)
  • Infections resistant to many other antibiotics

◆ Kidney note

Dose is lowered when kidney function is reduced — dosing is often timed around dialysis sessions.

Common side effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Rash

Important cautions

  • Can lower the level of the seizure medicine valproate, risking seizures — the combination is avoided
  • People with a serious penicillin allergy should discuss alternatives

How it comes

Injection (hospital). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Related medicines — Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.