Merocid 1000 mg powder for solution for injection/infusion – meropenem for serious bacterial infections

Merocid 1000 mg contains meropenem (as meropenem trihydrate), an antibiotic from the carbapenem group (ATC J01DH02). Meropenem kills bacteria that can cause serious infections.

The medicine is a powder for solution for injection or infusion and is used only in hospital, into a vein, in adults and children from 3 months for serious bacterial infections of the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, skin and soft tissues, infections related to childbirth and bacterial meningitis. The 500 mg strength no longer has a valid authorisation (terminated in 2019).

What is Merocid used for and how is it given?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Merocid used for?

In adults and children aged 3 months and older, Merocid is used to treat:

• severe pneumonia, including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia;
• lung and bronchial infections in cystic fibrosis;
• complicated urinary tract infections;
• complicated abdominal (intra-abdominal) infections;
• infections during or after childbirth;
• complicated skin and soft tissue infections;
• acute bacterial meningitis.

It may also be used in patients with neutropenia and fever suspected to be of bacterial origin, and for bacterial blood infection associated with any of the above infections. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections.

How is Merocid given and dosed?

The doctor sets the dose and duration according to the type, site and severity of the infection:

• Adults and adolescents: usually 500 mg to 2 g every 8 hours (e.g. 500 mg or 1000 mg for most infections, 2000 mg for lung infections in cystic fibrosis and for bacterial meningitis).
• Children aged 3 months to 11 years: usually 10–40 mg per kilogram of body weight every 8 hours; children over 50 kg receive the adult dose.

Method of administration: the medicine is given into a large vein as an injection (about 5 minutes) or an infusion (15–30 minutes). It is not mixed with solutions of other medicines.

Special patient groups

Kidney impairment (creatinine clearance below 51 mL/min) – the doctor adjusts the dose:

Meropenem is removed by haemodialysis; the dose is given after dialysis.

• Liver impairment: no dose adjustment, but liver function is monitored during treatment.
• Children under 3 months: not covered by the approved indications of this medicine.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to meropenem or to the excipient (sodium carbonate);
• allergy to other antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins or carbapenems.

Warnings and precautions

• Liver or kidney problems and severe diarrhoea after previous antibiotics – tell the doctor.
• A positive Coombs test (antibodies against red blood cells) may occur.
• Severe skin reactions are possible (DRESS, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, pustular rash).
• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness and dark urine may be a sign of rhabdomyolysis.
• Yellow skin and eyes, itching, dark urine or pale stools may indicate liver damage.
• One 1000 mg dose contains 90 mg sodium (4.5% of the recommended maximum daily intake for an adult).

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

The doctor should know about all medicines the patient takes, especially:

• probenecid (a gout medicine);
• valproic acid, sodium valproate or valpromide (epilepsy medicines) – meropenem may reduce their effect, so they are not combined;
• oral anticoagulants.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: it is preferable to avoid use; the doctor decides whether the medicine is necessary.
• Breastfeeding: small amounts pass into breast milk; the doctor decides on use during breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

• Headache, tingling (paraesthesia) and, rarely, convulsions may affect driving and using machines.

Possible side effects

Common (up to 1 in 10): abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, rash and itching, pain and inflammation, increased platelets, changes in liver function tests.

Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): blood count changes (platelets, white blood cells, bilirubin), changes in kidney tests, paraesthesia, oral or vaginal candidiasis, inflammation of the bowel with diarrhoea, injection-site pain, low potassium, liver problems.

Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): seizures, acute disorientation and confusion (delirium).

Serious reactions: severe allergic and skin reactions, damage to red blood cells (difficulty breathing, red or brown urine), muscle damage; Kounis syndrome (sudden chest pain) has been seen with antibiotics of the same type.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if a higher dose is given by mistake, the doctor is informed immediately.
• Missed dose: it is given as soon as possible; if the next dose is nearly due, the missed one is skipped – never two doses at once.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop without the doctor’s decision.

Related information

For more information about your treatment, talk to the doctor treating you or the hospital pharmacist.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: meropenem (as meropenem trihydrate) – 1000 mg per vial.
• Excipient: sodium carbonate.
• Appearance: white to light yellow powder in a clear 20 mL glass vial.
• Pack: box of 10 vials (10 x 1000 mg).
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: PharmaSwiss d.o.o., Batajnički drum 5A, Belgrade.
• Marketing authorisation number: 003503788 2024 of 02.12.2025 (renewal).

Storage

• The unopened medicine does not require special storage conditions; shelf life 3 years.
• Solution for bolus injection: use immediately; no more than 3 hours below 25 °C or 12 hours in a refrigerator (2–8 °C) from reconstitution to the end of administration.
• Solution for infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride: no more than 3 hours below 25 °C or 24 hours in a refrigerator; in 5% glucose use immediately. Do not freeze.
• Keep out of the reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

Can Merocid be obtained from a pharmacy?

No. Merocid is used only in inpatient healthcare facilities and is given into a vein by a doctor or nurse.

How often is Merocid given?

Usually every 8 hours. With reduced kidney function, the doctor may extend the interval to 12 or 24 hours and lower the dose.

Can I receive Merocid if I am allergic to penicillin?

The medicine must not be given in case of allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins or carbapenems, because you may also be allergic to meropenem. Always tell the doctor about any previous allergy.

Why is it important for the doctor to know I take valproate?

Meropenem may reduce the effect of valproic acid, sodium valproate or valpromide, so Merocid should not be used with these epilepsy medicines.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Merocid 1000 mg (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Merocid 1000 mg (SmPC)

Date sources were checked: 25.10.2026.