How does it work?

Imipenem is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is related to the penicillin/cephalosporin family of antibiotics. It has the ability to kill a wide variety of bacteria. It works by interfering with their ability to form cell walls, and therefore the bacteria break up and die. Imipenem, the active antibiotic ingedient, is partially inactivated by an enzyme in the kidney which can reduce its effectiveness. Therefore it is combined with cilastatin which blocks the effect of this enzyme. Cilastatin does not have any antibacterial effects and does not affect the antibacterial activity of the imipenem. It is given by injection or infusion and is generally used to treat severe infections. It may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction in people who have had an allergic reaction to a penicillin in the past.

What is it used for?

Abdominal infections

Infection of the blood or tissues (septicaemia)

Infection of the lungs and airways (lower respiratory tract infection)

Infections of the sex organs and organs associated with urination (genito-urinary infections)

Preventing infection following surgery

Use with caution in

Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin type antibiotics

Epilepsy

Kidney disease

Not to be used in

Allergy to any of the active ingredients

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Blood disorders

Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis)

Seizures (convulsions)

Pain and inflammation of the blood vessel at the site of injection

Nausea and vomiting

Alteration in taste

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

The imipenem-cilastatin combination may increase the toxicity of the antiviral drug ganciclovir if the two are used together.

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