From the Research
Meropenem can cause hallucinations as a side effect, though this is considered uncommon. Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2007 1, reports that neurological side effects, including hallucinations, confusion, seizures, and other central nervous system disturbances, occur in approximately 0.5-1% of patients taking the medication. These effects are more likely to occur in elderly patients, those with kidney problems, patients with a history of neurological disorders, or those receiving high doses of the drug. Key points to consider when prescribing meropenem include:
- Monitoring kidney function to reduce the risk of neurological side effects
- Being aware of the potential for drug interactions, such as with valproic acid, which can increase the risk of seizures 2
- Considering alternative antibiotics if hallucinations or other neurological side effects occur The mechanism behind these neurological effects is thought to be related to the drug's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with GABA receptors in the brain, which are involved in inhibitory neurotransmission. If hallucinations develop while taking meropenem, patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately, as dosage adjustment or switching to an alternative antibiotic might be necessary. Proper kidney function monitoring during meropenem therapy can help reduce the risk of these neurological side effects. It is also important to note that meropenem has a favorable safety profile, with a low overall frequency of adverse events and excellent gastrointestinal tolerability 1.