Primaxin IM (Intravenous, Intramuscular)

Imipenem and cilastatin combination is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It kills bacteria or stops them from growing. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Imipenem and cilastatin combination is used to treat infections in various parts of the body. It may be given with other antibiotics.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Some patients may experience tremors or seizures while taking this medicine. If you have a history of seizures and are taking anticonvulsants, you should keep taking them unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

In some patients, the imipenem and cilastatin combination may lead to diarrhea.

• Severe diarrhea may indicate a serious side effect. Do not use any diarrhea medicine without first consulting your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may worsen your diarrhea or make it last longer.
• For mild diarrhea, you may use diarrhea medicine that contains kaolin (e.g., Kaopectate liquid) or attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate tablets, Diasorb). However, do not take other types of diarrhea medicine. They may worsen your diarrhea or prolong it.
• If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea persists or worsens, consult your health care professional.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks of taking it versus the benefits. This is a choice you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional about any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children aged 12 years and older, and at effective doses, it has not been reported to cause different side effects or problems in children compared to adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of imipenem and cilastatin in older adults with other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be used together, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or take other precautions. When receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Bupropion
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Ganciclovir
• Theophylline
• Valganciclovir
• Valproic Acid

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cyclosporine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around mealtime or with specific types of food, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may impact the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Central nervous system (CNS) disorders (for example, brain disease or history of seizures)—Patients with nervous system disorders, including seizures, may be more likely to experience side effects.

• Kidney disease—Patients with kidney disease may be more likely to experience side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Confusion
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Dizziness
• Pain at the injection site
• Skin rash, hives, itching, fever, or wheezing
• Tremors

Less common

• Dizziness
• Increased sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Fever
• Severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
• Watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody (these side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stop receiving this medicine)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Primaxin IM
• Primaxin IV

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: Beta-Lactam

Chemical Class: Carbapenem

To help clear up your infection completely, imipenem and cilastatin combination must be given for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, it must be given on a regular schedule.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form: For bacterial infections: Adults and children 12 years of age and over—250 milligrams (mg) to 1 gram injected into a vein every six to eight hours; or 500 to 750 mg injected into a muscle every twelve hours, depending on how severe your infection is. Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.