Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Meropenem as follows:
- Check with your doctor regarding safety upon receiving any live vaccinations, as Meropenem by eliminating natural bacterial flora, could lower the body’s resistance. Live vaccinations could turn virulent in such individuals, precipitating new infections.
- Meropenem should be administered cautiously in individuals taking Probenecid, a medication used for gout, as Probenecid inhibits the enzymes responsible for metabolism of Meropenem in the liver. Inhibition of metabolism of Meropenem leads to increased blood levels of Meropenem for longer duration, leading to toxicity.
- Observe compliance with any regular lab work ordered. As Meropenem carries the risk for damage to the liver and kidneys, hepatic and renal function could be periodically monitored, to prevent any risk for toxicity. Watch closely to report any symptoms of itching, jaundice with yellowing of skin and sclera, dark urine, altered metabolism with nausea and vomiting, pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant, and fatigue suggesting damage to the liver. Any symptoms of renal injury and altered kidney function, such as, altered levels of consciousness and reduced urine formation, should be closely watched for and reported to the physician.
- Meropenem undergoes minimal metabolism in the liver and the metabolites along with the of the unchanged drug is excreted in the urine. Individuals with history of liver and kidney disease cannot metabolize and excrete Meropenem normally and tend to retain the drug in the body longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Meropenem should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
