Relebactam
Also sold as: Recarbrio
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: beta Lactamase Inhibitors (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action RECARBRIO is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE RECARBRIO is a combination of imipenem, a penem antibacterial, cilastatin, a renal dehydropeptidase inhibitor, and relebactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, indicated in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 2 kg for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP). ( 1.1 ) Complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis (cUTI) in patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options. ( 1.2 ) Complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options. ( 1.3 ) Approval of the cUTI and cIAI indications is based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data for RECARBRIO. ( 1.2 , 1.3 , 14 ) Limitations of Use RECARBRIO is not recommended in pediatric patients less than 37 weeks post-menstrual age (gestational age at birth plus post-natal age). ( 1.4 , 2.2 ). RECARBRIO is not recommended in pediatric patients weighing less than 30 kg with renal impairment. ( 1.4 , 2.3 ). Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria 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 bacteria. ( 1.5 ) 1.1 Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP/VABP) RECARBRIO ® is indicated in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 2 kg for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, 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
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adult Patients: The recommended dosage of RECARBRIO is 1.25 grams (imipenem 500 mg, cilastatin 500 mg, relebactam 250 mg) administered by intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes every 6 hours to adult patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) 90 mL/min or greater. ( 2.1 ) Pediatric Patients weighing at least 2 kg: The recommended dosage of RECARBRIO for pediatric patients weighing at least 2kg varies by patient weight and age, with specific dosing recommendations as shown in the table below, ( 2.2 ): Recommended Dosage of RECARBRIO In Pediatric Patients Weighing at Least 2 kg Age Range Body Weight Dose Dosing Frequency Infusion Duration Birth Pediatric patients from birth (includes pediatric patients at least 37 weeks post-menstrual age) to less than 3 months 2 kg or greater RECARBRIO 37.5 Provides 15 mg/kg imipenem, 15 mg/kg cilastatin, and 7.5 mg/kg relebactam mg/kg Every 8 hours 60 minutes 3 months to less than 18 years less than 30 kg RECARBRIO 37.5 mg/kg Every 6 hours 60 minutes 3 months to less than 18 years 30 kg or greater RECARBRIO 1.25 Provides 500 mg imipenem, 500 mg cilastatin, and 250 mg, relebactam grams Every 6 hours 30 minutes Dose reduction is required in adult and pediatric (weighing at least 30 kg) patients with renal impairment. ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) Do not administer RECARBRIO to adults with CLcr less than 15 mL/min unless hemodialysis is instituted within 48 hours after dose administration. ( 2.3 ) Do not administer RECARBRIO to pediatric patients weighing at least 30 kg with an eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73m 2 unless hemodialysis is instituted within 48 hours after dose administration. ( 2.4 ) See Full Prescribing Information for instructions for constituting supplied dry powder and subsequent required dilution. ( 2.5 ) See Full Prescribing Information for drug compatibilities and incompatibilities. ( 2.7 , 2.8 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage in 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 adult patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) of 90 mL/min or greater). The recommended duration of treatment with RECARBRIO is 4 days to 14 days. The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and location of infection and clinical response. 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients Weighing at Least 2 kg The recommended dosage of RECARBRIO in pediatric patients weighing at least 2 kg varies by patient weight and age, with specific dosing recommendations shown in Table 1 . The recommended duration of treatment with RECARBRIO is 4 days to 14 days. The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and location of infection and clinical response. RECARBRIO is not recommended in pediatric patients less than 37 weeks post-menstrual age (gestational age at birth plus post-natal age ) [see Indications and Usage (1.4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]. RECARBRIO is not recommended for pediatric patients weighing less than 30 kg with renal impairment [see Dosage and administration (2.4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Table 1: Recommended Dosage of RECARBRIO In Pediatric Patients Weighing at Least 2 kg Age Range Body Weight Dose Dosing Frequency Infusion Duration Birth Pediatric patients from birth (includes pediatric patients at least 37 weeks post-menstrual age) to less than 3 months 2 kg or greater RECARBRIO 37.5 Provides 15 mg/kg imipenem, 15 mg/kg cilastatin, and 7.5 mg/kg relebactam mg/kg Every 8 hours 60 minutes 3 months to less than 18 years less than 30 kg RECARBRIO 37.5 mg/kg Every 6 hours 60 minutes 3 months to less than 18 years 30 kg or greater RECARBRIO 1.25 Provides 500 mg imipenem, 500 mg cilastatin, and 250 mg, relebactam grams Every 6 hours 30 minutes 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment Adult patients who have a CLcr less than 90 mL/min require dosage reduction of RECARBRIO. The recommended dosage of RECARBRIO in adult patients with renal impairment is shown in Table 2 . Table 2: Recommended Dosage of RECARBRIO in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment Creatinine Clearance (CLcr) ([mL/min)] CLcr calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula for adult patients. Dose RECARBRIO is provided as a single vial in a fixed-dose combination; the dose for each component will be adjusted equally during preparation [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Dosing Frequency Infusion Duration 60 to 89 RECARBRIO 1 gram Provides 400 mg imipenem, 400 mg cilastatin, and 200 mg relebactam Every 6 hours 30 minutes 30 to 59 RECARBRIO 0.75 grams Provides 300 mg imipenem, 300 mg cilastatin, and 150 mg relebactam Every 6 hours 30 minutes 15 to 29 not receiving hemodialysis RECARBRIO 0.5 grams Provides 200 mg imipenem, 200 mg cilastatin, and 100 mg relebactam Every 6 hours 30 minutes Receiving hemodialysis Administration should be timed to follow hemodialysis and at intervals timed from t
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described in greater detail in the Warnings and Precautions section. Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Seizures and Other Central Nervous System Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Seizure Potential Due to Interaction with Valproic Acid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Adult HABP/VABP Patients: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 5% of patients treated with RECARBRIO were aspartate aminotransferase increased, anemia, alanine aminotransferase increased, diarrhea, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia. ( 6 ) Adult cUTI and cIAI Patients: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 2% of patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin plus relebactam 250 mg, the components of RECARBRIO, were diarrhea, nausea, headache, vomiting, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, phlebitis/infusion site reactions, pyrexia, and hypertension. ( 6 ) Pediatric HABP/VABP, cUTI, and cIAI Patients: The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in greater than 3% of pediatric patients treated with RECARBRIO were vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, headache, phlebitis/infusion site reactions, and rash. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adult Patients Overview of the Safety Evaluation of RECARBRIO in Adult Patients Safety was primarily evaluated in three active-controlled, double-blind trials in HABP/VABP, cUTI, and cIAI (Trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively). In the HABP/VABP trial (Trial 1), patients were treated with either RECARBRIO or piperacillin and tazobactam (4.5 grams). In the cUTI trial (Trial 2) and cIAI trial (Trial 3), patients in the treatment arms were treated with either imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg and relebactam 250 mg or imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg and relebactam 125 mg (not an approved dose), and patients in the control arm were treated with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg plus placebo (IV normal saline). Across Trials 2 and 3, the mean duration of IV therapy in patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin plus relebactam 250 mg was approximately 7 days. Clinical Trial Experience in Adult Patients with HABP/VABP Trial 1 included 266 adult patients treated with RECARBRIO and 269 patients treated with piperacillin and tazobactam (4.5 grams) administered intravenously over 30 minutes every 6 hours. The mean age was 60 years, 43% of patients were 65 years of age and older, 31% were female and 22% had polymicrobial infection. The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 15 and 48% of patients had an APACHE II score greater than or equal to 15 at baseline. Overall, 260 (49%) patients were ventilated at enrollment, including 194 (36%) patients with VABP and 66 (12%) patients with ventilated HABP. Clinical Trial Experience in Adult Patients with cUTI including, Pyelonephritis Trial 2 included 198 adult patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin and relebactam (99 patients each with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg plus relebactam 125 mg or relebactam 250 mg) and 100 patients treated with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg, administered intravenously over 30 minutes every 6 hours. After a minimum of 4 days of IV therapy, patients could be switched to oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg daily every 12 hours) to complete the treatment course of 4 to 14 days total (IV plus oral), at the discretion of the investigator. The mean age was 56 years, 40% of patients were 65 years of age and older, 16% were 75 years of age and older, 50% were female, and approximately 18% had moderate to severe renal impairment. Clinical Trial Experience in Adult Patients with cIAI Trial 3 included 233 adult patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin plus relebactam (116 subjects with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg and relebactam 125 mg and 117 subjects with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg plus relebactam 250 mg), and 114 patients treated with imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg, administered intravenously over 30 minutes every 6 hours for 4 to 14 days, at the discretion of the investigator. The mean age was 49 years, 23% of the patients were 65 years of age and older, 9.8% were 75 years of age and older, and 42% were female. Serious Adverse Reactions and Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Adult Patients In Trial 1, serious adverse reactions occurred in 27% (71/266) of patients rece
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Ganciclovir: Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.1 ) Valproic Acid or Divalproex Sodium: Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Ganciclovir Generalized seizures have been reported in patients who received ganciclovir concomitantly with imipenem/cilastatin, a component of RECARBRIO. Ganciclovir should not be used concomitantly with RECARBRIO unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. 7.2 Valproic Acid Based on case reports in the literature concomitant use of carbapenems, including imipenem/cilastatin, components of RECARBRIO, with valproic acid or divalproex sodium may decrease valproic acid concentrations which may increase the risk of breakthrough seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Although the mechanism of this interaction is unknown, data from in vitro and animal studies suggest that carbapenems may inhibit the hydrolysis of valproic acid's glucuronide metabolite (VPA-g) back to valproic acid, thus decreasing the serum concentrations of valproic acid . Avoid concomitant use of RECARBRIO with valproic acid or divalproex sodium. Consider alternative antibacterials other than carbapenems to treat infections in patients whose seizures are well controlled on valproic acid or divalproex sodium.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO. RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity to any component of RECARBRIO. ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.