Meropenem injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually given every 8 hours. The length of treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection you have, and how well you respond to the medication. Your doctor will tell you how long to use meropenem injection. After your condition improves, your doctor may switch you to another antibiotic that you can take by mouth to complete your treatment.

You may receive meropenem injection in a hospital, or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving meropenem injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with meropenem injection. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Use meropenem injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using meropenem injection too soon or if you skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer''s information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meropenem, other carbapenem antibiotics such as doripenem (Doribax), ertapenem (Invanz), or imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin); cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); other beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox); any other medications, or any of the ingredients in meropenem injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid) and valproic acid (Depakene). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, brain lesions, or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving meropenem injection, call your doctor.
• you should know that meropenem injection may affect mental alertness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.