The U.S. FDA approved Meropenem + Sulbactam for bacterial infections in 1996. It is an antibiotic medicine which belongs to the medication class known as carbapenem antibiotics. This medicine works by preventing bacteria from forming their protective cover, which is crucial for their survival. 

Meropenem + Sulbactam is used to treat a range of bacterial infections. It is effective against conditions such as pneumonia, lung and bronchial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, bacterial septicemia, complicated urinary tract infections, infections in the abdomen, post-childbirth infections, complicated skin, and soft tissue infections, and acute bacterial infection of the brain (meningitis). Unasyn works by targeting and combating these various infections, providing a comprehensive approach to bacterial illness management.

Meropenem + Sulbactam will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered as an injection or infusion in the vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Meropenem are stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, skin rash, itching, and anemia. Some serious side effects also severe allergic reactions (severe itching, rash, swelling of face, lips, or tongue, trouble breathing or wheezing).

Meropenem + Sulbactam should not be consumed if you are allergic to Meropenem, Sulbactam, other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins. any of its ingredients in the medication. If you have experienced severe diarrhea after taking other antibiotics, it is important to inform your physician. Meropenem can reduce the serum concentrations of valproic acid, a medication used to treat seizures and certain mental health conditions. It can lead to decreased effectiveness of valproic acid. If you take valproic acid, your healthcare provider may need to adjust the dose or consider alternative treatments.

Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Before starting treatment with Meropenem, it's necessary to inform your physician about any pre-existing medical conditions you have, such as epilepsy (seizures), kidney or liver problems, or if you are on a salt-controlled diet. During treatment, your doctor may recommend blood tests to monitor your blood cell count and kidney function. If you suspect pregnancy or plan to have a baby, inform your doctor about all the medications you have been taking recently, including herbal and supplements.

Inform your doctor if you're taking valproic acid along with Meropenem + Sulbactam. This combination might decrease valproic acid's effectiveness. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your valproic acid dose or explore alternative treatments. In case you experience signs of severe skin reactions, promptly notify your doctor or nurse for appropriate treatment. Inform your doctor if you are on a sodium diet, as this medicine contains Sodium. 

Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor about all the underlying medical conditions. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects after taking Meropenem + Sulbactam. Contact your doctor for more information. It is highly advised not to skip the dose schedules as it may decrease the drug's effectiveness and increase the chance of bacteria developing resistance. It is generally suggested to complete the full treatment schedule as your doctor prescribes.

1. Milpharm Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on January 2023] [ Accessed on 14th August 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5067.pdf
2. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, US FDA, [Revised on Dec 2016] [ Accessed on 14th August 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/050706s037lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Penicillins, and other beta-lactam antibiotics, 12th edition, 2011, 1500.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Betalactam antibiotics, 7th edition, 2013, 731.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.