Primaxin IM (Imipenem and Cilastatin) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Primaxin IM

Pneumonia »

Pneumonia facts

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Symptoms of pneumonia include cough with sputum production, fever, and sharp chest pain on inspiration (breathing in).
Pneumonia is suspected when a doctor hears abnormal sounds in the chest, and the diagnosis is confirmed by a chest X-ray.
Bacteria causing pneumonia can be identified by sputum culture.
A pleural effusion is a fluid collection around the inflamed lung.
Bacterial and fungal (but not viral) pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died fro...

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Primaxin IM

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PRIMAXIN® I.M.
(imipenem and cilastatin) for Injectable Suspension

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of PRIMAXIN I.M.^† and other antibacterial drugs, PRIMAXIN I.M. should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

For Intramuscular Injection Only

DRUG DESCRIPTION

PRIMAXIN I.M. (Imipenem and Cilastatin for Injectable Suspension) is a formulation of imipenem (a thienamycin antibiotic) and cilastatin sodium (the inhibitor of the renal dipeptidase, dehydropeptidase I). PRIMAXIN I.M. is a potent broad spectrum antibacterial agent for intramuscular administration. Imipenem (N-formimidoylthienamycin monohydrate) is a crystalline derivative of thienamycin, which is produced by Streptomyces cattleya. Its chemical name is [5R-[5α, 6α (R*)]]-6-(1-hydroxyethyl) -3-[[2-[(iminomethyl) amino] ethyl]thio]-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo [3.2.0] hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid monohydrate. It is an off-white, nonhygroscopic crystalline compound with a molecular weight of 317.37. It is sparingly soluble in water, and slightly soluble in methanol. Its empirical formula is C₁₂H₁₇N₃O₄S•H₂O, and its structural formula is:

Imipenem Structural Formula Illustration

Cilastatin sodium is the sodium salt of a derivatized heptenoic acid. Its chemical name is [R-[R*, S*-(Z)]]-7-[(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)thio]-2-[[(2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl)carbonyl]amino]-2-heptenoic acid, monosodium salt. It is an off-white to yellowish-white, hygroscopic, amorphous compound with a molecular weight of 380.43. It is very soluble in water and in methanol. Its empirical formula is C₁₆H₂₅N₂O₅SNa, and its structural formula is:

Cilastatin Sodium Structural Formula Illustration

PRIMAXIN I.M. 500 contains 32 mg of sodium (1.4 mEq) and PRIMAXIN I.M. 750 contains 48 mg of sodium (2.1 mEq). Prepared PRIMAXIN I.M. suspensions are white to light tan in color. Variations of color within this range do not affect the potency of the product.

What are the possible side effects of imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin IM, Primaxin IV)?

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 a serious side effect such as:

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...

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What are the precautions when taking imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin IM)?

Before using imipenem with cilastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either of its ingredients; or to penicillins or cephalosporins; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (e.g., seizures, head injury, tumor), kidney disease, liver disease, stomach/intestinal diseases (e.g., colitis).

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication...

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