What is Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?

Imipenem is an antibiotic that fights serious infections caused by bacteria.
Cilastatin helps imipenem work more effectively by preventing the breakdown of the antibiotic in the kidneys.
Imipenem and cilastatin is used to treat severe infections of the lower respiratory tract, skin, stomach, female reproductive organs, and other body systems.
Imipenem and cilastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?

Do not use imipenem and cilastatin if you are allergic to it, if you have heart block, or if you are allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics (numbing medicine).
Before using imipenem and cilastatin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), or a seizure disorder.
Also tell your doctor if you are either allergic to or are currently taking a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic such as Amoxil, Augmentin, Bactocill, Beepen-VK, Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Dycill, Dynapen, Keflex, Ledercillin VK, Omnipen, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, Principen, Veetids, and others.
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as pounding heartbeats, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, fainting, flu symptoms, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?

Do not use imipenem and cilastatin if you are allergic to it, if you have heart block, or if you are allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics (numbing medicine).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• 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 will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..
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.

Primaxin IV Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?
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 pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
* fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
Less serious side effects may include:
* pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected
* mild nausea, vomiting, heartburn, or stomach pain
* sore throat
* vaginal itching or discharge
* mild skin rash or itching
* dizziness or tired feeling
* numbness or tingling; or
* ringing in your ears
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Primaxin IV Interactions

What other drugs affect Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)
• ganciclovir (Cytovene)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others); or
• a cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefadroxil (Duricef), cephalexin (Keflex), and others

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with imipenem and cilastatin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Primaxin IV Dosage

How should I take Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?
Imipenem and cilastatin is injected 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 shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
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 full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. 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.
Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection.
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.
What happens if I overdose on Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include weakness, drooping eyelid, tremors, trouble breathing, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Primaxin IV (Imipenem Cilastatin)?
If imipenem and cilastatin is given in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose. If you are using the medication at home and you miss a dose, give the injection as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com