The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (up to 8%)
- Nausea (up to 8%)
- Constipation (up to 7%)
- Diarrhea (up to 7%)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count; up to 6%)
- Pain (up to 5%)
- Vomiting (up to 4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Inflammation around the area where the medication is injected
- Itching
- Rash
- Trouble breathing
- Sepsis (bloodstream infection)
Meropenem serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions: itching; hives; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; swelling of your hands, face, or mouth
- Severe skin reactions: skin pain, red rash or red blotches on your skin, blisters and sores on the skin, peeling skin
- Severe diarrhea: watery or bloody stools, painful stomach cramps, signs of dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, headaches, urinating less often than normal)
- Seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following Meropenem side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Bluish lips or skin
chills
cold, clammy skin
confusion
dizziness
fainting
fast heartbeat
fast, weak pulse
itching, skin rash
lightheadedness
rapid, shallow breathing
sweating
Rare
Agitation
black, bloody, or tarry stools
black, bloody vomit
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred vision
burning sensation while urinating
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
dark urine
decreased awareness or responsiveness
decreased urine output
diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
difficult or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
fever with or without chills
headache
hives or welts
hostility
irregular breathing
irritability
light-colored stools
loss of consciousness
muscle twitching
no blood pressure or pulse
nosebleed
pale skin
pounding in the ears
rapid weight gain
seizures
severe constipation
severe vomiting
severe sleepiness
slow, irregular heartbeat
stomach cramps, severe
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing with exertion
unconsciousness
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
confusion as to time, place, or person
general body swelling
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
hoarseness
holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swollen glands
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Body aches or pain
cold hands and feet
cold sweats
congestion
cool pale skin
dryness or soreness of the throat
increased hunger
indigestion
nightmares
passing of gas
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
shakiness
slurred speech
stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
trouble swallowing
vaginal yeast infection
voice changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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