Drug interactions
Meropenem + Valproic acid
Severity: Contraindicated
Meropenem and Valproic acid: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Meropenem causes a rapid and marked fall in serum valproic acid concentrations, often within a day or two of starting. Levels can drop below the therapeutic range, resulting in breakthrough seizures, and the effect may persist for days to weeks after the carbapenem is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meropenem and Valproic acid are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Meropenem belongs to Anti Bacterial; Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbapenems are thought to inhibit hydrolysis of valproate glucuronide back to valproate and may reduce its absorption and red cell uptake, lowering valproate concentrations.
What to do
Avoid the combination and use a non-carbapenem antibiotic. If a carbapenem is unavoidable, add an alternative anticonvulsant, since increasing the valproate dose does not reliably overcome the effect.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Meropenem
- Meropenem + Typhoid vaccine live Major
- Amifampridine + Meropenem Moderate
- Cholera vaccine + Meropenem Moderate
- Meropenem + Microbiota Moderate
- Meropenem + Probenecid Moderate
- Meropenem + Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid Moderate
Other interactions of Valproic acid
- Ertapenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
- Cilastatin-imipenem + Valproic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meropenem with Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Meropenem and Valproic acid are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Meropenem causes a rapid and marked fall in serum valproic acid concentrations, often within a day or two of starting. Levels can drop below the therapeutic range, resulting in breakthrough seizures, and the effect may persist for days to weeks after the carbapenem is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Meropenem and Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and use a non-carbapenem antibiotic. If a carbapenem is unavoidable, add an alternative anticonvulsant, since increasing the valproate dose does not reliably overcome the effect.
What other medicines interact with Meropenem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meropenem with, for example, Typhoid vaccine live, Amifampridine, Cholera vaccine. The full list is on the Meropenem page.
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