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In this Article

• What is imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What are the possible side effects of imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What is the most important information I should know about imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• How should I use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What happens if I overdose (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What should I avoid while using imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• What other drugs will affect imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to imipenem and cilastatin, or to lidocaine or other local anesthetics (numbing medicine). You should not use imipenem and cilastatin if you have heart block.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• a history of allergy to penicillin antibiotics such as Amoxil, Augmentin, Omnipen, Principen, Dycill, Dynapen, Bactocill, Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, Veetids, and others; or
• a history of allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether imipenem and cilastatin is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether imipenem and cilastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.)?

Imipenem and cilastatin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein (IV) or into a muscle (IM).

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given in a clinic or hospital setting. The IV medicine must be given as a slow infusion and can take up to an hour to complete. Tell your caregiver if you feel nauseated during the infusion. You may need to receive the medicine at a slower rate.

The IM form of imipenem and cilastatin is given as a rapid injection into a muscle. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Primaxin IM (for the muscle) and Primaxin IV (for the vein) are different forms of this medicine and should be used only for their specific type of injection. Do not inject Primaxin IM into a vein and do not inject Primaxin IV into a muscle.

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given as long as needed until your infection has cleared or you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Imipenem and cilastatin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Imipenem and cilastatin is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent). Primaxin IM and Primaxin IV are each mixed with different types of diluent.

Do not mix Primaxin IM or draw your dose into a syringe until you are ready to inject the medicine.

After mixing Primaxin IV, you may keep it in a refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.

You may also store the mixed IV medicine at room temperature if you use it within 4 hours. Store unmixed imipenem and cilastatin powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.