What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Meropenem and valproic acid
Meropenem's FDA label of July 16, 2025 names valproic acid in its drug interactions section, and valproic acid's label names meropenem too. The meropenem label: “The concomitant use of Meropenem for Injection and valproic acid or divalproex sodium is generally not recommended.”
Check it at the source: the meropenem FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2025, Eugia US LLC); the valproic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 24, 2025, PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma).
What does the meropenem label say about valproic acid?
Meropenem label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Co-administration of Meropenem for Injection with probenecid inhibits renal excretion of meropenem and is therefore not recommended. ( 7.1 ) The concomitant use of Meropenem and valproic acid or divalproex sodium is generally not recommended.
Meropenem label, warnings and precautionsIf signs or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are observed, discontinue Meropenem for Injection and initiate appropriate therapy. ( 5.3 ) Seizures and other adverse CNS experiences have been reported during treatment. ( 5.4 ) Co-administration of Meropenem for Injection with valproic acid or divalproex sodium reduces the serum concentration of valproic acid potentially increasing the risk of breakthrough seizures. ( 5.5 , 7.2) Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis) has been reported.
Meropenem label (WG Critical Care, LLC, September 8, 2026), drug interactionsThe concomitant use of Meropenem for Injection and valproic acid or divalproex sodium is generally not recommended.
Meropenem label (WG Critical Care, LLC, September 8, 2026), warnings and precautionsCo-administration of meropenem for injection with valproic acid or divalproex sodium reduces the serum concentration of valproic acid potentially increasing the risk of breakthrough seizures.
Source: FDA drug label (Meropenem And Sodium Chloride, NDA202106), B. Braun Medical Inc., effective August 5, 2025 (SPL set 3b952a55-6ef7-45c8-be21-16eefe37ec2e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Meropenem, NDA215212), WG Critical Care, LLC, effective September 8, 2026 (SPL set 240325ba-47a8-4ad1-bcab-6772069ee790), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Meropenem), Eugia US LLC, effective July 16, 2025 (SPL set bf1d3433-9e3f-40a0-8bff-c8ceaa8bab7c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the valproic acid label say about meropenem?
Valproic acid label, drug interactionsCarbapenem Antibiotics A clinically significant reduction in serum valproic acid concentration has been reported in patients receiving carbapenem antibiotics (for example, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem; this is not a complete list) and may result in loss of seizure control.
Valproic acid label, warnings and precautionsCarbapenem antibiotics (for example, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem; this is not a complete list) may reduce serum valproate concentrations to subtherapeutic levels, resulting in loss of seizure control.
Source: FDA drug label (VALPROIC ACID), PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma, effective January 24, 2025 (SPL set 7d5cb52e-37dd-4dfa-a6f4-09f9548846c6), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Meropenem | Valproic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Seizures and epilepsy, Migraine |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $4.69 per vial 1 g vial | $0.243 per capsule 250 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | Listed; available |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once