Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

Meropenem may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

Some patients may develop tremors or seizures while receiving this medicine. If you or your child already have a history of seizures and you are taking anticonvulsants, you should continue unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you are taking divalproex sodium (Depakote®) or valproic acid (Depakene®).

Meropenem may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause seizures, confusion, headaches, numbness or tingling sensation. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless thy have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.