To report a side effect or product quality complaint, call 1-800-672-6372
Frequently asked questions for RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam)
For answers to questions you may have, select any of the topics below. To see a complete list of Q&As, scroll down.
default-sum-open-background-color
default-sum-close-background-color
false
default-sum-open-hover-color
default-sum-open-focus-color
default-sum-close-focus-color
.default-sum-close-hover-color
What are the Indications and Usage for RECARBRIO?
RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Approval of the cUTI and cIAI indications is based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data for RECARBRIO.
Usage
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of RECARBRIO and other antibacterial drugs, RECARBRIO should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
default-sum-open-background-color
default-sum-close-background-color
false
default-sum-open-hover-color
default-sum-open-focus-color
default-sum-close-focus-color
.default-sum-close-hover-color
What is the recommended dosing for RECARBRIO for adult patients?
The recommended dosage of RECARBRIO is 1.25 grams (imipenem 500 mg, cilastatin 500 mg, and relebactam 250 mg) administered by intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes every 6 hours in patients 18 years of age and older with creatinine clearance (CLcr)a of 90 mL/min or greater. A dose reduction is recommended for patients with CLcr less than 90 mL/min. The severity and location of infection, as well as clinical response should guide the duration of therapy. The recommended duration of treatment with RECARBRIO is 4 days to 14 days
Patients with renal impairment
Patients who have a creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 90 mL/min require dosage reduction of RECARBRIO, as shown below. For patients with fluctuating renal function, CLcr should be monitored.
Dosage of RECARBRIO for adult patients with renal impairment
aCLcr calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. bAdminister intravenously over 30 minutes. cAdministration should be timed to follow hemodialysis.
RECARBRIO is provided as a single vial in a fixed-dose combination; the dose for each component will be adjusted equally during preparation.
Patients with CLcr less than 15 mL/min should not receive RECARBRIO unless hemodialysis is instituted within 48 hours. There is inadequate information to recommend usage of RECARBRIO for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam are cleared from the circulation during hemodialysis. For patients maintained on hemodialysis, administer RECARBRIO after hemodialysis and at intervals timed from the end of that hemodialysis session.
To view complete dosing information, visit the dosing overview.
default-sum-open-background-color
default-sum-close-background-color
false
default-sum-open-hover-color
default-sum-open-focus-color
default-sum-close-focus-color
.default-sum-close-hover-color
What is the Selected Safety Information for RECARBRIO?
Hypersensitivity reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving therapy with beta-lactams. Before initiating therapy with RECARBRIO, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactams, and other allergens. If a hypersensitivity reaction to RECARBRIO occurs, discontinue the therapy immediately.
Seizures and other Central Nervous System (CNS) adverse reactions: CNS adverse reactions, such as seizures, confusional states, and myoclonic activity, have been reported during treatment with imipenem/cilastatin, a component of RECARBRIO, especially when recommended dosages of imipenem were exceeded. These have been reported most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (eg, brain lesions or history of seizures) and/or compromised renal function.
Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether RECARBRIO should be discontinued.
Increased seizure potential due to interaction with valproic acid: Concomitant use of RECARBRIO, with valproic acid or divalproex sodium may increase the risk of breakthrough seizures. Avoid concomitant use of RECARBRIO with valproic acid or divalproex sodium or consider alternative antibacterial drugs other than carbapenems.
Clostridioides difficile–Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including RECARBRIO, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued.
Development of drug-resistant bacteria: Prescribing RECARBRIO in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Adverse reactions: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of HABP/VABP patients treated with RECARBRIO were aspartate aminotransferase increased (11.7%), anemia (10.5%), alanine aminotransferase increased (9.8%), diarrhea (7.9%), hypokalemia (7.9%), and hyponatremia (6.4%).
The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of cUTI and cIAI patients treated with RECARBRIO were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), headache (4%), vomiting (3%), alanine aminotransferase increased (3%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (3%), phlebitis/infusion site reactions (2%), pyrexia (2%), and hypertension (2%).
How should dosing for RECARBRIO be adjusted for adult patients with renal impairment?
Patients who have a creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 90 mL/min require dosage reduction of RECARBRIO, as shown below. For patients with fluctuating renal function, CLcr should be monitored.
The recommended duration of treatment with RECARBRIO is 4 days to 14 days. The severity and location of infection, as well as clinical response, should guide the duration of therapy.
Dosage of RECARBRIO for adult patients with renal impairment
aCLcr calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. bAdminister intravenously over 30 minutes. cAdministration should be timed to follow hemodialysis.
RECARBRIO is provided as a single vial in a fixed-dose combination; the dose for each component will be adjusted equally during preparation.
Patients with CLcr less than 15 mL/min should not receive RECARBRIO unless hemodialysis is instituted within 48 hours. There is inadequate information to recommend usage of RECARBRIO for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam are cleared from the circulation during hemodialysis. For patients maintained on hemodialysis, administer RECARBRIO after hemodialysis and at intervals timed from the end of that hemodialysis session.
RECARBRIO is a combination of imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam. Imipenem is a carbapenem. Cilastatin limits the renal metabolism of imipenem. Relebactam is a novel BLI that helps restore the activity of imipenem. Relebactam protects imipenem from degradation by certain serine beta-lactamases such as KPC, SHV, TEM, CTX-M, P99, and Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase (PDC, AmpC-type).
RECARBRIO is not active against metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), some oxacillinases with carbapenemase activity, as well as certain alleles of GES.
Is imipenem/relabactam active in the presence of beta-lactamases, up-regulation of efflux pumps, and loss of outer membrane porins?
RECARBRIO retains activity in the presence of the tested efflux pumps. Imipenem/relebactam has shown activity against some isolates of P. aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae that produce relebactam-susceptible beta-lactamases concomitant with loss of entry porins. RECARBRIO is not active against most isolates containing metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), some oxacillinases with carbapenemase activity, as well as certain alleles of GES.
default-sum-open-background-color
default-sum-close-background-color
false
default-sum-open-hover-color
default-sum-open-focus-color
default-sum-close-focus-color
.default-sum-close-hover-color
Where can I find clinical data supporting RECARBRIO in nosocomial bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP)?
RECARBRIO has been studied in a multinational, double-blind trial comprised of 535 patients with HABP/VABP comparing RECARBRIO to piperacillin and tazobactam for 7 to 14 days of therapy.
Why was piperacillin/tazobactam chosen as a comparator to RECARBRIO in the HABP/VABP trial?
Piperacillin/tazobactam is indicated for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia at 4.5 g every 6 hours (plus an aminoglycoside), guideline recommended for nosocomial pneumonia and has a similar dosing schedule to RECARBRIO.
default-sum-open-background-color
default-sum-close-background-color
false
default-sum-open-hover-color
default-sum-open-focus-color
default-sum-close-focus-color
.default-sum-close-hover-color
Has RECARBRIO been studied in a non-inferential trial compared with colistin plus imipenem?
RECARBRIO was studied in patients with cIAI, cUTI, and HABP/VABP caused by imipenem-nonsusceptible pathogens, in a non-inferential trial which used colistin plus imipenem as the active comparator. This trial, which included 47 patients, provided only limited efficacy and safety information.
RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Approval of the cUTI and cIAI indications is based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data for RECARBRIO.
Usage
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of RECARBRIO and other antibacterial drugs, RECARBRIO should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Selected Safety Information
Hypersensitivity Reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving therapy with beta-lactams. Before initiating therapy with RECARBRIO, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactams, and other allergens. If a hypersensitivity reaction to RECARBRIO occurs, discontinue the therapy immediately.
Seizures and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Adverse Reactions: CNS adverse reactions, such as seizures, confusional states, and myoclonic activity, have been reported during treatment with imipenem/cilastatin, a component of RECARBRIO, especially when recommended dosages of imipenem were exceeded. These have been reported most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (eg, brain lesions or history of seizures) and/or compromised renal function.
Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether RECARBRIO should be discontinued.
Increased Seizure Potential Due to Interaction with Valproic Acid: Concomitant use of RECARBRIO, with valproic acid or divalproex sodium may increase the risk of breakthrough seizures. Avoid concomitant use of RECARBRIO with valproic acid or divalproex sodium or consider alternative antibacterial drugs other than carbapenems.
Clostridioides difficile–Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including RECARBRIO, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued.
Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Prescribing RECARBRIO in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Adverse Reactions: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of HABP/VABP patients treated with RECARBRIO were aspartate aminotransferase increased (11.7%), anemia (10.5%), alanine aminotransferase increased (9.8%), diarrhea (7.9%), hypokalemia (7.9%), and hyponatremia (6.4%).
The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of cUTI and cIAI patients treated with RECARBRIO were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), headache (4%), vomiting (3%), alanine aminotransferase increased (3%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (3%), phlebitis/infusion site reactions (2%), pyrexia (2%), and hypertension (2%).
By clicking on this link, you will be leaving this site.
This link will take you to a site outside Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck does not review or control the content of any non-Merck site. Merck does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy, content, practices, or standards of any non-Merck site.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
no
no
no
Indications and Usage
Indications and Usage
RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
RECARBRIO is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Approval of the cUTI and cIAI indications is based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data for RECARBRIO.
Usage
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of RECARBRIO and other antibacterial drugs, RECARBRIO should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP)
RECARBRIO™ (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex,
Selected Safety Information
Selected Safety Information
Hypersensitivity Reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving therapy with beta-lactams. Before initiating therapy with RECARBRIO, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactams, and other allergens. If a hypersensitivity reaction to RECARBRIO occurs, discontinue the therapy immediately.
Seizures and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Adverse Reactions: CNS adverse reactions, such as seizures, confusional states, and myoclonic activity, have been reported during treatment with imipenem/cilastatin, a component of RECARBRIO, especially when recommended dosages of imipenem were exceeded. These have been reported most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (eg, brain lesions or history of seizures) and/or compromised renal function.
Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether RECARBRIO should be discontinued.
Increased Seizure Potential Due to Interaction with Valproic Acid: Concomitant use of RECARBRIO, with valproic acid or divalproex sodium may increase the risk of breakthrough seizures. Avoid concomitant use of RECARBRIO with valproic acid or divalproex sodium or consider alternative antibacterial drugs other than carbapenems.
Clostridioides difficile–Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including RECARBRIO, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued.
Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Prescribing RECARBRIO in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Adverse Reactions: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of HABP/VABP patients treated with RECARBRIO were aspartate aminotransferase increased (11.7%), anemia (10.5%), alanine aminotransferase increased (9.8%), diarrhea (7.9%), hypokalemia (7.9%), and hyponatremia (6.4%).
The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of cUTI and cIAI patients treated with RECARBRIO were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), headache (4%), vomiting (3%), alanine aminotransferase increased (3%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (3%), phlebitis/infusion site reactions (2%), pyrexia (2%), and hypertension (2%).
Hypersensitivity Reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO.
