Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Meropenem for Injection USP and Sodium Chloride Injection USP
What is MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP used for?
Meropenem for Injection USP is used to treat bacterial infections of the:
- Lungs
- Bladder
- Kidneys
- Abdomen
- Skin
- Brain (meningitis)
- Female reproductive organs. This includes infections that occur during childbirth
- Blood
Antibacterial drugs like Meropenem for Injection treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Although you may feel better early in treatment, Meropenem for Injection should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of Meropenem for Injection could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Meropenem for Injection (resistance). This means that Meropenem for Injection may not work for you in the future.
How does MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP work?
Meropenem for Injection prevents the formation of the bacterial cell wall. This causes the bacteria to die and there is a reduction in the infection.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
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What are the ingredients in MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP?
Medicinal ingredients: Meropenem
Non-medicinal ingredients: Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Water for Injection
MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP comes in the following dosage forms:
Powder for solution: 500 mg and 1 g
Solution (Diluent): approximately 50 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP
Do not use MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP if:
- you are allergic to Meropenem or any of the other ingredients of Meropenem for Injection.
- you are allergic to a class of antibiotics called β-lactam antibiotics. This can include penicillins, carbapenems or other cephalosporins.
- Taking sodium chloride can result in experiencing harmful side effects.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to any other antibiotic including penicillins, carbapenems or other cephalosporins;
- are taking carbapenems or valproic acid;
- have any problems with your kidneys or liver;
- have suffered diarrhea as a result of taking other antibiotics;
- have history of seizures;
- have congestive heart failure;
- require restricted sodium intake;
are pregnant or trying to become pregnant;
- are breast-feeding or planning to breastfeed.
Other warnings you should know about:
While being treated with Meropenem for Injection:
- Tell your healthcare professional right away if you develop a severe skin rash or blisters
- Your injection must not be mixed with or added to solutions with other drugs.
- Meropenem for Injection is not recommended for children under 3 months of age.
- Meropenem for Injection should only be given to the patient it has been prescribed to.
- You should only stop receiving Meropenem for Injection when your healthcare professional tells you.
Driving and using machines
- Meropenem for Injection has caused side effects such as headache and involuntary muscle movements, shaking or seizures that can result in loss of consciousness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you have these symptoms.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP:
- probenecid (for gout)
- sodium valproate (for seizures)
How to take MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP:
Meropenem for Injection will be given to you by your healthcare professional. Meropenem for Injection should only be given to the patient it has been prescribed to.
Usual dose:
The usual dose is 500 mg to 1 g by intravenous injection every 8 hours. Your injection must not be mixed with or added to solutions with other drugs.
Intravenous injection: your healthcare professional will give the injection to you in your vein.
This product should not be used for doses other than 500 mg or 1 g.
The exact dose you are given will be decided by your healthcare professional. It will vary depending on the type of infection that you have, where the infection is in the body and the severity of the infection.
Adults
The dose for adults is usually 500 mg to 1 g given every 8 hours. For meningitis (infection of the brain), the dose is 2 grams given every 8 hours.
Children
The dose for children over 3 months old and up to 12 years of age is decided using the weight of the child. The usual dose range is 10 to 40 mg of Meropenem for Injection for each kilogram of body weight given every 8 hours. Meropenem for Injection is not recommended for children under 3 months of age.
The dose of Meropenem for Injection may need to be reduced if your kidneys are not working properly.
Your injections should normally be given at the same times each day. You should only stop receiving Meropenem for Injection when your healthcare professional tells you.
Overdose:
Contact a healthcare professional right away if you are accidentally given more Meropenem for Injection than your dose.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
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Missed Dose:
If you think an injection was missed during your treatment, talk to your healthcare professional.
What are possible side effects from using MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND
SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Meropenem for Injection USP and Sodium Chloride Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Common side effects include: inflammation at site of injection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, headache, fever and tingling.
Other side effects include: itchiness, abdominal pain, sore veins where Meropenem for Injection is injected, fungal infections of the mouth or the vagina, unexpected breathlessness and/or red/brown urine, fatigue, loss of energy, weakness, shortness of breath, aches, flu-like symptoms, infections, bleeding, bruising, sore mouth and gums, mouth ulcer, constipation, chills, swelling in lower legs or hands, agitation, dizziness, hallucinations, damage to nerves causing weakness pain or tingling, pain to affected areas, change in taste, sweating, yellowing of skin (jaundice), darkening or other changes in urine, irregular heartbeat.
Convulsions have been reported occasionally.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible events. You may not have any of them.
If you notice any side effects whilst using Meropenem for Injection please inform your healthcare professional.
Tell your healthcare professional immediately if you develop a severe skin rash or blisters.
If you experience symptoms such as severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness, you may have Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation). If this occurs, stop taking Meropenem for Injection and contact your healthcare professional immediately.
Meropenem for Injection can cause abnormal blood test results. Your doctor may do blood tests before you start Meropenem for Injection and while you take it. Your doctor will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| N/A | |||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Hypersensitivity (Allergic reactions): severe rash with or without high fever, with itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing | √ | ||
| Seizures | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) (inflammation of the colon): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery), abdominal pain, fever | √ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Delirium (Change in mental abilities): confusion, disorientation | √ | ||
| NOT KNOWN | |||
| Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction (SCAR): severe skin reaction that may also affect other organs: fever, sudden onset of severe rash or blistering or peeling skin, enlarged lymph nodes. | √ | ||
*If you think you have these side effects, it is important that you seek medical advice from your healthcare professional immediately.
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
The healthcare professional will store and dispose of the medication. The unactivated unit should be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Do not freeze.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about MEROPENEM FOR INJECTION USP AND SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html), or by calling 1-800-227-2862.
Date of Preparation: NOV 26, 2024
Y36-003-082 LD-724-2