Does Merrem (Meropenem) cause hypoglycemia?

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Last updated: February 15, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Merrem (Meropenem) does not cause hypoglycemia.

Relevant Information

  • The provided evidence does not mention Merrem (Meropenem) as a cause of hypoglycemia 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • The studies focus on diabetes management, hypoglycemia treatment, and drug interactions, but none of them mention Merrem (Meropenem) as a potential cause of hypoglycemia.
  • Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, and its side effects do not typically include hypoglycemia.

Key Points

  • Hypoglycemia is a significant concern in diabetes management, and certain medications can increase the risk of hypoglycemia 3, 5.
  • However, Merrem (Meropenem) is not mentioned as a medication that can cause hypoglycemia in the provided evidence.
  • It is essential to monitor blood glucose levels and adjust medications accordingly to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia, especially when using medications that can increase this risk 4.

From the FDA Drug Label

Adverse events with an incidence of greater than 1%, and not listed above, include: pharyngitis, accidental injury, gastrointestinal disorder, hypoglycemia, peripheral vascular disorder, and pneumonia.

  • Hypoglycemia is listed as an adverse event with an incidence of greater than 1% in patients treated with Meropenem for injection (I.V.) for complicated skin and skin structure infections.
  • The FDA drug label for Merrem (Meropenem) does indicate that hypoglycemia is a possible adverse reaction, although the exact frequency is not specified in the main adverse reactions section, it is mentioned in the context of complicated skin and skin structure infections 6.

From the Research

Merrem (Meropenem) and Hypoglycemia

  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that suggests Merrem (Meropenem) causes hypoglycemia 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
  • The studies primarily focus on the efficacy, safety profile, and pharmacokinetics of Meropenem in treating various bacterial infections, including its use in critically ill patients and those with sepsis 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • Adverse events reported in the studies include diarrhea, rash, nausea/vomiting, and injection site inflammation, but hypoglycemia is not mentioned as a potential side effect 8, 10.
  • The pharmacokinetic properties of Meropenem, such as its elimination half-life, volume of distribution, and metabolism, are discussed in one of the studies, but there is no indication of a link to hypoglycemia 11.

References

Guideline

standards of medical care for type 2 diabetes in china 2019.

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 2019

Research

Meropenem clinical pharmacokinetics.

Clinical pharmacokinetics, 1995

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.