Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection shortage
Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection is currently listed in shortage by the FDA. The FDA lists 1 affected product. This page was last refreshed from FDA data on Oct 2, 2026.
Merck is stopping Recarbrio (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) injection, and this change may be permanent. No other manufacturers of this medicine are listed, so all strengths are expected to be unavailable once the discontinuation takes effect around late September 2026.
Don’t stop or change your therapy on your own — talk with your prescriber about the plan that fits you, and ask your pharmacist what’s actually available.
Do you take this drug? See the ‘What to do’ recommendation from Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD →What’s in shortage — at a glance
These figures count only the manufacturers that reported this shortage to the FDA — not every company that makes Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection. Other makers that haven’t reported a problem are shown in the green card below.
Shortage timeline
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Sep 9, 2026Currently in shortage1 of 1 product affected.
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Sep 9, 2026First reported to the FDA1 product first listed.
Built from FDA posting and update dates. The end date FDA publishes is the posting/update date, not a true resolution date, so durations are approximate.
What exactly is on backorder — by manufacturer
Manufacturer: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC 📞 800-672-6372 1 NDC click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Be Discontinued | RECARBRIO, Injection, 500 mg/100 mL; 500 mg/100 mL; 250 mg/100 mL (NDC 0006-3856-02) | — | — | To be discontinued on or near late September 2026. | — |
These rows are manufacturer reports to the FDA for Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection — they do not necessarily cover every manufacturer that makes this drug. A company appears here only if it told the FDA it has a supply problem, so other makers may still have stock. That’s the basis for the Where else can I get Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection? options further down this page.
Why is Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection in shortage?
Merck Sharp & Dohme has reported to the FDA that they plan to permanently stop making this specific product — RECARBRIO Injection (500 mg/500 mg/250 mg per 100 mL) — on or around late September 2026. This means that particular package and strength will no longer be available from Merck after that point.
It's worth knowing that Merck did not share a specific public reason for why they're making this decision — just that the discontinuation is coming. This report reflects only what Merck has filed with the FDA, so it speaks only to their product and timeline.
Based on the manufacturer-reported reason(s) and notes on file with the FDA for Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection, summarized in plain English by HelloPharmacist. A drug can be short for more than one reason, and the FDA updates these as manufacturers report changes.
What should I do if I take Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection?
The combination injection imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam (brand name RECARBRIO) is currently listed on the FDA drug-shortage report.
This report covers the 250 mg/100 mL and 500 mg/100 mL formulations, and at this time none of these strengths has an available source through the manufacturer that filed the report. The maker on this record, Merck Sharp & Dohme, has marked the product to be discontinued on or near late September 2026. Because this is a planned discontinuation rather than a temporary supply gap, the shortage of this specific product may be permanent, and there are no other same-medicine options in our records.
Since this is a medicine given by injection, usually in a hospital or clinic setting, your care team will typically manage the supply. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Do not stop or change this treatment on your own — any adjustment should come from your care team.
- Because a discontinuation is reported, talk with your prescriber about the plan going forward, including a clinician-chosen alternative if needed.
- The manufacturer's contact number is listed on this page for reference; pharmacies and care teams usually handle those calls.
This information comes from national, manufacturer-reported FDA data and may not match your local supply. It is general information, not personal medical advice.
- Don’t stop or change the medication on your own — talk to your prescriber first.
- If this is part of an ongoing or essential regimen (for example HIV treatment or prevention, seizure, heart, transplant, diabetes or mental-health medicines), do not skip or ration doses — contact your pharmacist or prescriber right away to arrange continued supply before you run out.
- Ask your pharmacy to check other manufacturers, strengths, package sizes, and nearby stores.
- Ask your prescriber whether a different strength, formulation, or the brand/generic version is appropriate.
Uses, dosing, side effects, prices, and the complete FDA label — written in plain English and pharmacist-reviewed.
Therapeutic equivalents & pricing 1 productclick to expand
Orange Book–rated equivalents of the affected strengths, with the latest NADAC price (a federal retail-acquisition benchmark, not your copay) and an evidence-based availability label. Cheapest first.
| Product | Manufacturer | Package | NADAC $/unit | AB rating | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recarbrio 500 mg/100mL; 500 mg/100mL; 250 mg/100mL | Merck | 25 vials | — | — | FDA listed |
Equivalents share the same ingredient, strength, dosage form and route; an AB rating means the FDA considers them substitutable. NADAC is a national retail-pharmacy acquisition benchmark from CMS — not what you pay. Availability is inferred from recent pricing, not a stock check.
Other drugs in the same treatment class
These are different medicines — not other versions of Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection — that fall in the same broad treatment class (carbapenem/penem antibiotics) . They are not automatic substitutes: they can differ in how they work, dosing, effectiveness, side effects and what they’re approved to treat. Do not switch on your own. This list is for information only — ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether any of them is appropriate for you.
Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
Other anti-infective shortages
Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection shortage FAQs
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When will Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection be available again?
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Still have a question about the Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Relebactam Anhydrous Injection shortage?
Ask a pharmacist about this shortage →View Imipenem Anhydrous, Cilastatin, And Rele... on the FDA drug-shortage database →
Where does this data come from?
/drug/shortages) — drug, manufacturer & contact, NDC/product, status, availability, reason, therapeutic category and posting/update dates. Current / To Be Discontinued = active; Resolved is kept for history. The Supply-Risk rating is assessed per active ingredient and adds the FDA NDC Directory (still-marketed manufacturers by ingredient & form); same-medicine and equivalent products use First Databank classification + CMS NADAC pricing; Medicaid use + most-affected states come from CMS Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data. Reference only — confirm current status with the manufacturer or FDA before acting on it.