Meropenem: Possible Alternative for the Penicillin Allergic

Filed in archive Allergy to Drugs , Allergy: Research and Development on February 21, 2007

Penicillin is a common antibiotic used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, strep throat, bronchitis, and infections of the skin. However, allergic reactions to penicillins may occur in up to 10% of patients, and in some, it may even result to anaphylaxis.

According to new study, here's an potential alternative for those with penicillin allergies: Meropenem. In the study, out of 104 people with immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins and positive skin test results to at least 1 penicillin reagent, only 1 person had a positive intradermal test result to meropenem. The remaining 103 participants with negative skin test results to meropenem tolerated escalating dose challenges.

Although patients with penicillin allergy are advised against meropenem, in view of these latest results, the researchers recommend that the use of meropenem in penicillin-allergic patients be reconsidered. At any rate pre-treatment skin tests could always be done to confirm whether a patient is allergic to meropenem, as well as to penicillin.