imipenem-cilastatin

(ih me PEH nem sye la STAH tin)
Primaxin IM, Primaxin IV

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

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Do not take imipenem-cilastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to imipenem-cilastatin, meropenem (Merrem), a penicillin antibiotic, cephalosporin antibiotic, or lidocaine or another anesthetic.

What is imipenem-cilastatin?

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Imipenem is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body. Cilastatin is used with imipenem to increase its effectiveness by preventing its breakdown by the kidneys.

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Imipenem-cilastatin is used in the treatment of infections of the abdomen, such as appendicitis; lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis; skin and skin structure infections such as abscesses, cellulitis, and infected skin ulcers and wounds; gynecological infections such as uterine infection following delivery of a baby; urinary tract infections; bone and joint infections; heart infections; blood infection; and others.

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

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

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Before taking imipenem-cilastatin, talk to your doctor if you have

a head injury or brain tumor;

epilepsy or a seizure disorder; or

kidney disease.

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You may not be able to use imipenem-cilastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

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Imipenem-cilastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether imipenem-cilastatin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use imipenem-cilastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether imipenem-cilastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take imipenem-cilastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take imipenem-cilastatin?

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Imipenem-cilastatin will be administered as an intravenous (into a vein) or intramuscular (into a muscle) injection by a healthcare provider.

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If you are using imipenem-cilastatin at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.

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It is important to take imipenem-cilastatin regularly to get the most benefit.

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Take all of the imipenem-cilastatin that has been prescribed for you, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with imipenem-cilastatin to monitor progress and side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Since imipenem-cilastatin is usually administered by a healthcare provider, missing a dose is not likely to occur. Contact your healthcare provider if a dose of imipenem-cilastatin is missed.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of imipenem-cilastatin is suspected.

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Symptoms of a imipenem-cilastatin overdose are not well known but may include weakness, confusion, tremor, seizures, and death.

What should I avoid while taking imipenem-cilastatin?

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There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities during treatment with imipenem-cilastatin unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of imipenem-cilastatin?

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If you experience a rare but serious side effects, stop taking imipenem-cilastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)

seizures or tremors;

confusion;

severe or watery diarrhea; or

a skin rash.

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Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use imipenem-cilastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

nausea or vomiting;

diarrhea;

dizziness or tiredness; or

soreness, redness, or mild swelling at the injection site.

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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?

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

Where can I get more information?

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

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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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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.