Merck Discontinued Antibiotic Recarbrio in the U.S.
The pharmaceutical company ceased supply of its three-drug injection treatment seven years after its initial approval.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Healthcare
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Merck has officially discontinued the antibiotic Recarbrio in the United States. The injectable medication was previously utilized to treat various complex bacterial infections.
Why it matters
The removal of Recarbrio reduces the available treatment options for patients suffering from specific hospital-acquired conditions. It marks a shift in the availability of multi-drug therapies for severe infections.
Recarbrio is a three-drug combination injection that received FDA approval seven years ago. Merck has not disclosed specific sales figures for the product in its regulatory filings.
The players
Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical company that develops medicines and vaccines for various medical conditions.
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for protecting public health by regulating the safety and efficacy of medical products.
The details
The drug was used to treat hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia, as well as complicated stomach and urinary tract infections. Merck confirmed it has completely ceased the supply of the injection to the U.S. market.
Timeline
Recarbrio received FDA approval in 2019.
Merck discontinued the drug in the U.S. in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This move represents a narrowing of therapeutic options within the antibiotic sector. It underscores the challenges firms face in maintaining legacy products within the broader FDA drug approval process.
Patients and healthcare providers will no longer have access to Recarbrio for treating complex infections in clinical settings. Doctors will need to transition to alternative antibiotic therapies to manage cases previously treated by this injection.
The takeaway
The removal of a specialized antibiotic from the market requires immediate adjustments to hospital treatment protocols. Physicians must now review patient records to select appropriate alternative therapies for those with complicated infections.
Further reading
For more on the current medical landscape, visit the Healthcare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by STAT.
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