Meropenem Injection and Etonogestrel: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Meropenem Injection
Etonogestrel
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Reduced hormonal contraceptive exposure and an increased risk of contraceptive failure
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of meropenem and a hormonal contraceptive may decrease plasma concentrations of the hormonal contraceptive and may diminish effectiveness. Effective alternative non-hormonal forms of contraception or additional contraceptive methods are recommended for patients taking hormonal contraceptives when treated concomitantly with meropenem1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism by meropenem
Common questions
Can I take Meropenem Injection and Etonogestrel together?
Reduced hormonal contraceptive exposure and an increased risk of contraceptive failure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Meropenem Injection and Etonogestrel interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Meropenem Injection or Etonogestrel need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: VABOMERE(R) intravenous injection, meropenem, vaborbactam intravenous injection. Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (per FDA), Lincolnshire, IL, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Meropenem Injection
Keep reading about Etonogestrel
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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