Meropenem
Carbapenems
Sold as Vaborem · VABOMERE · MERONEM IV 1G
- Drug class
- Carbapenems
- Availability
- Prescription only
- Routes
- Intravenous
- Markets covered
- 4
- Products on record
- 60
- FDA reports (12 mo)
- 2,444
Overview
Plain-language summary, compiled from the cited regulatory records
Meropenem is a carbapenem antibacterial medication [1]. It is approved for treating complicated skin and skin structure infections in adult and pediatric patients 3 months of age and older [1]. Meropenem is also indicated for complicated intra-abdominal infections in both adult and pediatric patients [1]. Additionally, it is used to treat bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients 3 months of age and older [1].
The development of drug-resistant bacteria is a concern, and meropenem is intended to help reduce this risk and maintain the effectiveness of the medication [1].
In the past 12 months, there have been 2,444 adverse event reports associated with meropenem [2]. The most frequently reported adverse events include drug ineffectiveness, off-label use, condition aggravation, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and pyrexia [2].
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Regulatory status by market
| Market | Regulator | Products | Last revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB United Kingdom | MHRA | 36 | May 22, 2026 |
| CA Canada | Health Canada | 18 | July 17, 2025 |
| US United States | FDA | 5 | November 14, 2025 |
| EU European Union | EMA | 1 | March 23, 2026 |
GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA
36 products
Uses
1): • Severe pneumonia, including hospital and ventilator-associated pneumonia. • Broncho-pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis • Complicated urinary tract infections • Complicated intra-abdominal infections • Intra- and post-partum infections • Complicated skin and soft tissue infections • Acute bacterial meningitis Treatment of patients with bacteraemia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed above.
Meropenem may be used in the management of neutropenic patients with fever that is suspected to be due to a bacterial infection. Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.
How to take
CACanada· Health Canada
18 products
Uses
VABOMERE (meropenem and vaborbactam) is indicated in adults for the treatment of the following infections known or suspected to be caused by carbapenem-resistant, vaborbactam/meropenem- susceptible Gram-negative bacteria • Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis • Complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) • Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) • Bacteremia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed above.
• Other infections with limited treatment options. Gram-negative organisms include Enterobacterales, such as Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. (see 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, spectrum of activity of meropenem/vaborbactam, 15 MICROBIOLOGY) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of VABOMERE and other antibacterial drugs, VABOMERE should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
USUnited States· FDA
5 products
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Meropenem for injection is a penem antibacterial indicated for the treatment of: Complicated skin and skin structure infections (adult patients and pediatric patients 3 months of age and older only). 1 ) Complicated intra-abdominal infections (adult and pediatric patients).
2 ) Bacterial meningitis (pediatric patients 3 months of age and older only). 3 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of meropenem for injection and other antibacterial drugs, meropenem for injection should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
1 Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (Adult Patients and Pediatric Patients 3 Months of age and older only) Meropenem for injection is indicated for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) due to Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae , viridans group streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Peptostreptococcus species .
EUEuropean Union· EMA
1 product
Uses
1): • Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI), including pyelonephritis • Complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) • Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Treatment of patients with bacteraemia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with, any of the infections listed above.
1). Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.
How to take
Drug interactions
Known interactions involving Meropenem. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.
Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.
Sources & citations
- [1]MHRA (UK) · PL245980040 · revised May 22, 2026
- [2]Health Canada (DPD) · 02554151 · revised July 17, 2025
- [3]FDA DailyMed · 0d37e43b-ff8d-49… · revised November 14, 2025 [PDF]
- [4]European Medicines Agency · EMEA/H/C/004669 · revised March 23, 2026
- [5]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.
Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.