Vabomere
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is a combination antibiotic medication used to treat complicated urinary tract infections, including those affecting the kidneys. It's a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it works against many types of bacteria. Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare provider.
What is Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)?
What is Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) used for?
- Treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), including those affecting the kidneys, in adults
How Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) works
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is a combination of two medications.
- Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making their own protective covering.
- Vaborbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It blocks the activity of beta-lactamase, an enzyme (protein) made by bacteria that often breaks down certain antibiotics, like meropenem. Vaborbactam helps protect meropenem from the action of beta-lactamase and allows the antibiotic to work as it should.
Drug facts
Side effects of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
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 (9%)
- Infusion site reactions (e.g., pain or redness at the injection site; 4%)
- Diarrhea (3%)
- Nausea (2%)
- Fever (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Chest discomfort
- Sore throat
- Lower appetite
- Tremor
- Thrush
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Feeling dizzy
- Sleepiness
- Trouble sleeping
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe stomach pain or diarrhea
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, dizziness, swelling, fever, trouble breathing
- Seizure: twitching, jerking, losing consciousness, confusion
The following Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning or tingling sensation in hands or feet
- Seizures
- Severe diarrhea, fever
- Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
Pros
- Able to kill certain bacteria that are resistant to (harder to treat with) other antibiotics
- Can use for people who have kidney disease and people who are on dialysis
- Might work well for people who didn’t see benefits with other antibiotics for complicated UTI
- Typically mild day-to-day side effects
Cons
- Unknown if safe or works well in children
- Can raise the risk of seizures
- Only available as an IV infusion
- Might not be safe to use if you're allergic to penicillin
Pharmacist tips for Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
- Before getting Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) treatment, tell your provider if you're allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins, or any other antibiotics. This is because serious allergic reactions to Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can happen if you have a history of allergies to these medications.
- Before starting Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), your provider will check to make sure this medication works against the bacteria that's causing your infection. Taking Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) or other antibiotics when they aren't necessary can cause the bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, which can make your infection much harder to treat.
- It takes about 3 hours to receive the full dose of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam).
- If you have kidney problems, receiving Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) might cause your platelet levels to drop (thrombocytopenia). This is usually not dangerous and doesn't raise your risk of bleeding. Nonetheless, let your provider know if you seem to be bleeding more frequently and easily, have purple spots on your skin, bruising without a cause, or have extreme weakness.
- Your provider will give you Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) for the shortest amount of time possible to treat your infection. If you use Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) for too long, it can cause new fungal or bacterial infections to develop that might be harder to treat. Let your provider know if you notice symptoms of a new infection or if the original symptoms don't get better after you've finished your entire course of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam).
- Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can sometimes cause confusion, headache, or abnormal twitching. If you're receiving this medication outside of a hospital, don't drive a car or operate machinery after your infusion until you know how this medication affects you.
- Make sure you get any ordered blood tests done on time while you're receiving Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam). These blood tests check your kidney health, which help your provider decide whether your dose needs to be adjusted. This makes sure the medication is safe for you to take.
Common questions about Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
Maybe. If you're allergic to sulfa medications, like Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim), Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) might be safe for you to use since it doesn't have a sulfa ingredient. But if you're allergic to medications such as penicillin antibiotics or cephalosporin antibiotics, let your provider know before receiving Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam). This is because Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) contains meropenem, which is very similar to those two types of antibiotic. Get medical help immediately if you experience a skin rash, trouble breathing, or swelling during Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) treatment.
A clinical study looked at how well Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) worked to treat complicated UTIs (including those affecting the kidneys) in comparison to Zosyn (piperacillin / tazobactam). Results showed that after an average of 8 days of treatment, 98% of adults who received Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) had improvement from their infection compared to 94% of people who received Zosyn (piperacillin / tazobactam). Keep in mind that some people who received Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) had an infection that Zosyn (piperacillin / tazobactam) didn't work well for. If you have any questions about whether Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is right for you, follow up with your provider for more information.
Yes, Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can interact with some medications. Always let your provider know what medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements, before you start. An example of a Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) drug interaction is with anti-seizure medications, like divalproex (Depakote) or valproic acid. This interaction can cause the anti-seizure medications to not work as well, which can raise your risk of seizures. During treatment with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), your provider might recommend you to use a different seizure medication to prevent breakthrough seizures. Another drug interaction is with the gout medication called probenecid. Taking probenecid with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can expose you to more meropenem, which can affect your risk of side effects. Avoid using this medication with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), and let your provider know if you have a history of gout.
Most commonly, you'll get Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) in the hospital. In some cases, it might be possible to get antibiotics given IV (through the vein), such as Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), in an outpatient setting. This might include receiving the medication at a provider's office, clinic, or even at home (with the help of a home health nurse). Talk to your provider about your available options to receive Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam).
It's not clear whether Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) hasn’t been well studied in human pregnancies. But research in animal pregnancy showed that vaborbactam might cause birth defects in unborn babies. Similarly, Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) hasn’t been studied in breastfeeding. Research showed that meropenem can be found in human milk, but it's unknown how this would affect breastfed babies. If you're breastfeeding or pregnant, please talk with your provider to see whether Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) is a good option for you.
It's common to feel better early on during treatment with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam). But it's very important that you continue receiving this medication according to your provider's treatment plan even if you start feeling better. Missing doses or stopping Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) early can make it easier for bacteria to change form. This can cause Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) or other antibiotics to stop working to fight the infection. It also allows the bacteria to grow and spread in your body, making the infection worse. If you're receiving this medication outside of the hospital and you missed a dose, talk with your provider right away.
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Risks and warnings for Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reactions
- Risk factors: History of allergy to penicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, or other beta-lactam antibiotics | History of multiple allergies
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can sometimes cause serious allergic reactions, such as rash, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, or wheezing. The risk is higher if you've had a history of allergy to penicillin antibiotics, cephalosporin antibiotics, or have multiple allergies. Before starting treatment with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), make sure to let your provider know about your medical history. If you experience an allergic reaction to Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), get medical care right away. Your provider will stop the infusion and consider other treatment options.
Risk of seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Bacterial meningitis (brain inflammation) | History of brain or kidney problems
Meropenem in Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can make you more likely to have seizures. The risk might be higher if you have a history of seizures, brain problems, bacterial meningitis, or worsening kidney function. Your provider will make sure you receive the appropriate amount of medication given your kidney health.
If you have a history of seizures, your provider might ask you to continue your anti-seizure medications during treatment with Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam). Keep in mind that antibiotics, such as meropenem in Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), have been shown to lower the amount of divalproex (Depakote) and valproic acid in your body. This might make these anti-seizure medications not work as well. Let your provider know if you're using these medications for seizures before starting antibiotic treatment.
Get medical attention right away if you experience sudden jerking or twitching that can't be controlled. This can be a sign that you're having a seizure.
Severe infectious diarrhea
Antibiotics, such as Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam), can raise the risk of getting a bacterial infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause severe diarrhea for up to 2 months after your last dose of your antibiotic treatment. To lower your risk of C. diff-related diarrhea, your provider will prescribe the lowest dose of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) for the shortest amount of time that works well for you. If you experience severe or watery diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, belly pain, loss of appetite, or nausea, let your provider know right away.
Nerve and muscle problems
Rarely, Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) can affect your mental alertness or your muscle control. Watch out for abnormal twitching or jerking, confusion, headache, or skin tingling, and let your provider know right away. If you're receiving Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) at home or at a provider's office, don't drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) dosage
Typical dosage for Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)
This medication is only available as an IV infusion that's administered by a healthcare provider. The dose of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) depends on your kidney health. In general, the typical dose is 4 grams (2 grams of meropenem and 2 grams of vaborbactam) injected into a vein every 8 hours for up to 14 days.
If you're on dialysis and need to get your antibiotic infusions on a dialysis day, your doses of Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) will be given after you have your dialysis session.
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins
What are alternatives to Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam)?
Vabomere (meropenem / vaborbactam) images
