Imipenem

Imipenem is an intravenous beta-lactam antibiotic developed in 1985. Imipenem belongs to the subgroup of carbapenems. It is derived from a compound called thienamycin, which is produced by the bacteria Streptomyces cattley. Imipenem has a broad spectrum of activity against aerobic and anaerobic Gram positive as well as Gram negative bacteria. It is particularly important for its activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Enterococcus species. It is not active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, however. more...

Imipenem is unique in that it is degraded by the kidney before working when given alone. Therefore, it is used in combination with cilastatin. Cilastatin stops the kidney from degrading imipenem and itself has no intrinsic antibacterial activity. An example of an Imipenem / Cilastatin combination therapy is the Merck drug Primaxin (also marketed internationally as Tienam).

Common side effects are nausea and vomiting. People who are allergic to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics should not take imipenem. Imipenem can also cause seizures.

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