imipenem and cilastatin

Pronunciation:	i mi PEN em and sye la STAT in
Brand:	Primaxin IM, Primaxin IV

What is the most important information I should know about imipenem-cilastatin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to imipenem and cilastatin, or to lidocaine or other local anesthetics (numbing medicine). You should not use imipenem and cilastatin if you have heart block.

Before using imipenem and cilastatin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), or a seizure disorder.

Also tell your doctor if you are either allergic to or are currently taking a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic such as Amoxil, Augmentin, Bactocill, Beepen-VK, Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Dycill, Dynapen, Keflex, Ledercillin VK, Omnipen, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, Principen, Veetids, and others.

Before using imipenem and cilastatin, tell your doctor if you are also taking ganciclovir (Cytovene) or probenecid (Benemid).

Primaxin IM (for the muscle) and Primaxin IV (for the vein) are different forms of this medicine and should be used only for their specific type of injection. Do not inject Primaxin IM into a vein and do not inject Primaxin IV into a muscle.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as pounding heartbeats, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, fainting, flu symptoms, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may include pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected, mild stomach discomfort, sore throat, vaginal itching or discharge, mild skin rash, dizziness or tired feeling, numbness or tingling, or ringing in your ears.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is imipenem-cilastatin?

Imipenem is an antibiotic that fights serious infections caused by bacteria.

Cilastatin helps imipenem work more effectively by preventing the breakdown of the antibiotic in the kidneys.

Imipenem and cilastatin is used to treat severe infections of the lower respiratory tract, skin, stomach, female reproductive organs, and other body systems.

Imipenem and cilastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking imipenem-cilastatin?

Before using imipenem and cilastatin, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of allergy to penicillin antibiotics such as Amoxil, Augmentin, Omnipen, Principen, Dycill, Dynapen, Bactocill, Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, Veetids, and others; or
a history of allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use imipenem and cilastatin, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether imipenem and cilastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take imipenem-cilastatin?

Imipenem and cilastatin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein (IV) or into a muscle (IM).

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given in a clinic or hospital setting. The IV medicine must be given as a slow infusion and can take up to an hour to complete. Tell your caregiver if you feel nauseated during the infusion. You may need to receive the medicine at a slower rate.

The IM form of imipenem and cilastatin is given as a rapid injection into a muscle. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given as long as needed until your infection has cleared or you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Imipenem and cilastatin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Imipenem and cilastatin is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent). Primaxin IM and Primaxin IV are each mixed with different types of diluent.

Do not mix Primaxin IM or draw your dose into a syringe until you are ready to inject the medicine.

After mixing Primaxin IV, you may keep it in a refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.

You may also store the mixed IV medicine at room temperature if you use it within 4 hours. Store unmixed imipenem and cilastatin powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If imipenem and cilastatin is given in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose. If you are using the medication at home and you miss a dose, give the injection as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an imipenem and cilastatin overdose may include weakness, drooping eyelid, tremors, trouble breathing, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking imipenem-cilastatin?

What are the possible side effects of imipenem-cilastatin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast or pounding heartbeats;
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
confusion, tremors, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);
feeling light-headed, fainting;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected;
mild nausea, vomiting, heartburn, or stomach pain;
sore throat;
vaginal itching or discharge;
mild skin rash or itching;
dizziness or tired feeling;
numbness or tingling; or
ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect imipenem-cilastatin?

Before using imipenem and cilastatin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

ganciclovir (Cytovene);
probenecid (Benemid);
a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others); or
a cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefadroxil (Duricef), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before use imipenem and cilastatin if you are use any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about imipenem and cilastatin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Imipenem and cilastatin is available with a prescription under then brand name Primaxin I.M. and Primaxin I.V. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

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