Imipenem/cilastatin

Imipenem/cilastatin (marketed as Primaxin in the USA) is a broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic containing equal quantities of imipenem and cilastatin. It is related to the penicillin/cephalosporin family of antibiotics but is classified as belonging to the carbapenem class.

Mechanism

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 agent, is rapidly degraded by the renal enzyme dehydropeptidase if administered alone (making it less effective); the metabolites can cause kidney damage.
• Administration. Primaxin FDA label, Food and Drug Administration. Oct 2006.</ref> It may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction in people who have had an allergic reaction to a penicillin in the past. It is particularly effective against Enterobacter species.

Marketing

Imipenem/cilastatin is marketed by Merck & Co. under the trade names Primaxin, Tienam and Zienam. The combination is also marketed by Ranbaxy Laboratories in India under the brand name Cilanem. It is also marketed by Highnoon Laboratories Ltd. in Pakistan under the trade name Prepenem. Prepenem was launched by Highnoon in May 2007 and was the first generic brand after the research brand Tienam.

Side Effects

Imipenem/cilastatin is known to cause seizures.

References