Imipenem/Cilastatin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: imipenem and cilastatin, injection; Primaxin IM; Primaxin IV

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large) or by intramuscular injection (shot) to treat many types of serious bacterial infections. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a brain disorder or seizures
• kidney disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is usually given by your healthcare provider. This medicine must be given over a period of time long enough to clear up the infection even after you begin to feel better. Stopping too soon may allow the infection to return.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause severe diarrhea. Your healthcare provider will treat you for this. Do not take any type of diarrhea medicine on your own.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical treatment right away or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures, nausea, vomiting, tremors, severe diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps.

Other: Mild diarrhea, pain or irritation where the shot was given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you receive this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
• ganciclovir (Cytovene)
• probenecid
• typhoid vaccine
• valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.