Imipenem/Cilastatin, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat serious bacterial infections.
• This medicine may cause severe diarrhea. Your healthcare provider will treat you for this. Do not take any type of diarrhea medicine on your own.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: imipenem/cilastatin, injection; Primaxin IV

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large) to treat many types of serious bacterial infections.

This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A brain disorder or seizures
• Kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is usually given by your healthcare provider. This medicine must be given over a period of time long enough to clear up the infection even after you start to feel better. Stopping too soon may allow the infection to return.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause severe diarrhea. Your healthcare provider will treat you for this. Do not take any type of diarrhea medicine on your own.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Seizures, nausea, vomiting, tremors, severe or bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, trouble urinating, sudden mood changes, confusion, sore throat, unexplained bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness or tiredness.

Other: Mild diarrhea, pain or irritation where the shot was given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antiviral medicines such as ganciclovir (Cytovene) and valganciclovir (Valcyte)
• Probenecid
• Typhoid vaccine
• Valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene, Depakote)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.