Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Invanz
- Carbapenems
Description
Beta-lactam antibiotic derived from thienamycin. Cilastatin added to reduce renal metabolism of imipenem. Without cilastatin, imipenem is rapidly metabolized and causes toxicity to the proximal tubule. Cilastatin has no antibacterial activity. Imipenem is more efficient at penetrating through the bacterial cell wall, resistant to bacterial enzymes, and has affinity for all bacterial PBPs. Broader spectrum of activity than many other beta-lactam antibiotics. Used to treat severe or resistant infections, especially those that are nosocomial in origin.
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of Lower Respiratory Tract, Skin/Skin Structure, & Gynecologic Infections.
Indicated for Intra-abdominal Infections.
Indicated for Pseudomonas Infections, Urinary Tract Infections.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to imipenem or cilastatin
Adverse Effects
- Phlebitis (2-5%)
- Eosinophilia (4%)
- Miscellaneous dermatologic effects (<3%)
- Potentially false-positive Coombs test (2%)
- Miscellaneous hematologic effects (<2%)
- Transient increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine (<2%)
- Seizures (1.5%)
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting (1-2%)
- Abnormal urinalysis
- Agitation
- Anaphylaxis
- Anemia
- Confusion (acute)
- Dizziness
- Dyskinesia
- Emergence of resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Fever
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypotension
- Elevated liver function test (LFT) results
- Increased prothrombin time (PT)
- Neutropenia (including agranulocytosis)
- Palpitations
- Pruritus
- Pseudomembranous colitis
Warnings
History of hypersensitivity to penicillins
Use with caution in CNS disorders (eg., history of seizures); adjust dosage in renal impairment to avoid risk of seizures; carbapenem use has been associated with seizures
Prolonged use increases risk of superinfections
Use with caution in renal impairment; adjust dosage in moderate to severe renal dysfunction
Carbapenem use may decrease serum levels of divalproex sodium or valproic acid
Combination with aminoglycosides may thwart resistant P aeruginosa
Not for use in children with CNS problems
Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) reported and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis; treatment with antibacterial agents alters normal flora of colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile
Pregnancy and Lactation
Available data from a small number of postmarketing cases in pregnancy are not sufficient to identify any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes
There are insufficient data on presence of imipenem/cilastatin in human milk, and no data on effects on breastfed child, or on milk production
Maximum Dosage
4 g/day IV.
4 g/day IV.
100 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 4 g/day).
12 years: 100 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 4 g/day).
1 to 11 years: 100 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 4 g/day).
100 mg/kg/day IV.
older than 7 days: 75 mg/kg/day IV.
0 to 7 days: 50 mg/kg/day IV.
How supplied
Imipenem/cilastatin
powder for injection
- 250mg/250mg
- 500mg/500mg