MEROPENEM

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by ARMAS PHARMACEUTICALS INC

Meropenem Adverse Events Show High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

56,187 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About MEROPENEM

MEROPENEM is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by ARMAS PHARMACEUTICALS INC. Based on analysis of 56,187 FDA adverse event reports, MEROPENEM has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for MEROPENEM include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, OFF LABEL USE, PYREXIA, PNEUMONIA, SEPSIS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for MEROPENEM.

AI Safety Analysis

Meropenem has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 56,187 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Pyrexia. Of classified reports, 97.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious adverse events (97.1%) indicates significant safety concerns.

A wide range of reactions, including severe infections and organ dysfunctions, are reported. Neutropenia and renal impairment are among the most frequently reported conditions.

Patients taking Meropenem should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Meropenem can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other antibiotics and antifungals. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Meropenem received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 97.1% serious event ratio across 30,401 classified reports. The score accounts for 56,187 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE4,221 reports
OFF LABEL USE3,118 reports
PYREXIA2,090 reports
PNEUMONIA1,436 reports
SEPSIS1,364 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK1,353 reports
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME1,220 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,212 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,145 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE1,084 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,075 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,071 reports
DIARRHOEA1,067 reports
DRUG INTERACTION914 reports
NEUTROPENIA883 reports
ANAEMIA849 reports
HYPOTENSION820 reports
DYSPNOEA789 reports
DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS781 reports
DRUG RESISTANCE779 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION774 reports
RASH755 reports
PANCYTOPENIA744 reports
NAUSEA689 reports
VOMITING649 reports
RENAL FAILURE625 reports
DEATH623 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT582 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE FOR UNAPPROVED INDICATION557 reports
PATHOGEN RESISTANCE523 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED515 reports
INFECTION511 reports
CARDIAC ARREST509 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION461 reports
LEUKOPENIA420 reports
CANDIDA INFECTION415 reports
HEPATIC FUNCTION ABNORMAL407 reports
EOSINOPHILIA400 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED399 reports
TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS399 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION393 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS389 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN375 reports
C REACTIVE PROTEIN INCREASED375 reports
HYPOXIA375 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION374 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED367 reports
BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS363 reports
RASH MACULO PAPULAR359 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION359 reports
MALAISE355 reports
TACHYCARDIA355 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED348 reports
SEIZURE345 reports
FATIGUE339 reports
ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME336 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED333 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA333 reports
DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION323 reports
ENTEROCOCCAL INFECTION323 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE318 reports
DRUG INDUCED LIVER INJURY317 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION313 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE309 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE306 reports
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED304 reports
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE COLITIS304 reports
ASTHENIA303 reports
COVID 19295 reports
DECREASED APPETITE295 reports
PSEUDOMONAS INFECTION292 reports
ENCEPHALOPATHY288 reports
ERYTHEMA282 reports
AGRANULOCYTOSIS280 reports
HYPERTENSION279 reports
COUGH273 reports
PAIN271 reports
HEPATIC FAILURE270 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE267 reports
PRURITUS266 reports
MYELOSUPPRESSION265 reports
FUNGAL INFECTION264 reports
CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME263 reports
SHOCK263 reports
ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE262 reports
CHILLS261 reports
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION260 reports
HEADACHE260 reports
BACTERAEMIA259 reports
ASPERGILLUS INFECTION257 reports
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS256 reports
HAEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS247 reports
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION243 reports
SYSTEMIC CANDIDA243 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED242 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE238 reports
MULTI ORGAN FAILURE236 reports
DRUG ERUPTION230 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY230 reports
KLEBSIELLA INFECTION229 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Severe infections like sepsis and pneumonia are common.
  • Organ dysfunctions such as acute kidney injury and multi-organ failure are frequently reported.
  • Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are significant safety signals.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 15,763, Female: 12,084, Unknown: 102. The most frequently reported age groups are age 66 (580 reports), age 64 (568 reports), age 67 (565 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 30,401 classified reports for MEROPENEM:

  • Serious: 29,516 reports (97.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 885 reports (2.9%)
Serious 97.1%Non-Serious 2.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male15,763 (56.4%)
Female12,084 (43.2%)
Unknown102 (0.4%)

Reports by Age

Age 66580 reports
Age 64568 reports
Age 67565 reports
Age 65561 reports
Age 63548 reports
Age 73531 reports
Age 70529 reports
Age 68528 reports
Age 55511 reports
Age 61488 reports
Age 60483 reports
Age 75482 reports
Age 69480 reports
Age 59468 reports
Age 62466 reports
Age 72462 reports
Age 58456 reports
Age 56448 reports
Age 71440 reports
Age 57432 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Meropenem can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other antibiotics and antifungals.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Meropenem, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, off label use, pyrexia, pneumonia, sepsis. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any adverse reactions to healthcare providers immediately. Follow healthcare provider's instructions carefully, especially regarding dosage and duration of treatment. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with Meropenem being subject to safety monitoring and potential updates to labeling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Meropenem?

The FDA has received approximately 56,187 adverse event reports associated with Meropenem. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Meropenem?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Meropenem include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Pyrexia, Pneumonia, Sepsis. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (4,221 reports), Off Label Use (3,118 reports), Pyrexia (2,090 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Meropenem.

What percentage of Meropenem adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 30,401 classified reports, 29,516 (97.1%) were classified as serious and 885 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Meropenem (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Meropenem break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 15,763, Female: 12,084, Unknown: 102. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Meropenem?

The most frequently reported age groups for Meropenem adverse events are: age 66: 580 reports, age 64: 568 reports, age 67: 565 reports, age 65: 561 reports, age 63: 548 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Meropenem?

The primary manufacturer associated with Meropenem adverse event reports is Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Meropenem?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Meropenem include: Septic Shock, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, Acute Kidney Injury, Condition Aggravated, Respiratory Failure. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Meropenem?

You can report adverse events from Meropenem to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Meropenem's safety score and what does it mean?

Meropenem has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious adverse events (97.1%) indicates significant safety concerns.

What are the key safety signals for Meropenem?

Key safety signals identified in Meropenem's adverse event data include: Severe infections like sepsis and pneumonia are common.. Organ dysfunctions such as acute kidney injury and multi-organ failure are frequently reported.. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are significant safety signals.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Meropenem interact with other drugs?

Meropenem can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other antibiotics and antifungals. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Meropenem.

What should patients know before taking Meropenem?

Patients should report any adverse reactions to healthcare providers immediately. Follow healthcare provider's instructions carefully, especially regarding dosage and duration of treatment.

Are Meropenem side effects well-documented?

Meropenem has 56,187 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide range of reactions, including severe infections and organ dysfunctions, are reported. The volume of reports for Meropenem reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Meropenem?

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with Meropenem being subject to safety monitoring and potential updates to labeling. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to MEROPENEM based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

VancomycinLinezolidCeftazidime
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.