Imipenem and cilastatin

Generic name: Imipenem And Cilastatin
Drug class: Carbapenems

Usage of Imipenem and cilastatin

Imipenem and cilastatin is an antibiotic that is used in adults and children to treat bacterial infections of the heart, lungs, bladder, kidneys, skin, blood, bones, joints, stomach, or female reproductive organs.

Imipenem and cilastatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Imipenem and cilastatin side effects

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

Imipenem and cilastatin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

pain, swelling, burning, or irritation around the IV needle; or

seizure (convulsions).

Common side effects of imipenem and cilastatin may include:

pain, bruising, induration, redness, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected;

fever, feeling light-headed, seizures;

fast heart rate, little or no urination, urine discoloration;

thrush (a fungal infection);

dizziness, drowsiness;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or

itching, rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Imipenem and cilastatin

You should not use imipenem and cilastatin if you are allergic to imipenem or cilastatin.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

an allergy to similar antibiotics such as Meropenem, Cephalexin, Cefdinir, amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin, and others;

a stroke, epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

a head injury or brain tumor;

any other type of allergy; or

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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How to use Imipenem and cilastatin

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Imipenem and cilastatin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider may give you this injection or may teach you how to properly use this medicine by yourself.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors or has particles in it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection.

Be sure you understand how to properly mix this medicine with a liquid (diluent) and how to store the mixture.

Depending on the severity of the infection, imipenem and cilastatin is usually given for as long as needed after lab tests show that the infection has cleared.

Your kidney function may need to be checked often.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Imipenem and cilastatin will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

Doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Imipenem and cilastatin

When you start or stop receiving imipenem and cilastatin, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of other medicines you use on a regular basis.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

ganciclovir;

probenecid; or

divalproex sodium, valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect imipenem and cilastatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.