Imipenem 500mg + Cilastatin 500mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Imipenem + Cilastatin Uses 

Imipenem and cilastatin belongs to the antibiotic class. It is used to treat the following conditions: 

1. Severe lung infections (pneumonia) 
2. Urinary tract infections (UTI) 
3. Skin and soft tissue infections 
4. Abdominal infections 
5. Bone and joint infections 
6. Blood infections (sepsis) 
7. Serious hospital-acquired infections   

Directions for use

1. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, consistently at the same time each day.
2. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
3. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to your next dose; then skip the missed one. 

Imipenem + Cilastatin side effects

More Common

1. Nausea 
2. Vomiting 
3. Diarrhea 
4. Headache 
5. Skin rash or itching 
6. Pain or redness at injection site       

Less common 

1. Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulty) 
2. Severe or persistent diarrhea 
3. Seizures or confusion 
4. Yellowing of skin or eyes (liver problems) 
5. Unusual bruising or bleeding 
6. Fever with rash    

How Imipenem + Cilastatin works

Imipenem 500mg + Cilastatin 500mg works by killing bacteria and helping the antibiotic stay active in the body. Imipenem destroys bacteria by stopping them from forming their protective cell wall, which causes the germs to die. Cilastatin does not kill bacteria; instead, it prevents imipenem from being broken down in the kidneys, allowing it to work longer and more effectively against serious infections. 

Safety Measures and Warning 

Allergy/Hypersensitivity

If you are allergic to this medicine, taking it can cause serious reactions like rashes, swelling, or trouble breathing. Stop the medicine immediately and get medical help.

Brain disorders or seizures

If you have brain disorders or a history of seizures, taking this medicine may increase the risk of seizures or confusion. Inform your doctor before use and seek medical help if any unusual symptoms occur. 

Pregnancy

This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if your doctor believes the benefits outweigh the possible risks, as it may affect the unborn baby. 

Breastfeeding

This medicine should be used while breastfeeding only if advised by a doctor, as it can pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the fetus.

Imipenem + Cilastatin Interaction with other Medicines

Avoid taking Imipenem + Cilastatin with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Imipenem + Cilastatin Interaction with Food Products

There are no specific food restrictions with this injection, but eating light meals may help reduce nausea. Always follow your doctor’s advice during treatment.

Storage   

1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature.
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
3. Keep away from the reach of children. 

Imipenem + Cilastatin Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

Imipenem: (5R,6S)-3-[2-(aminomethylideneamino)ethylsulfanyl]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid 

Cilastatin: (Z)-7-[(2R)-2-amino-2-carboxyethyl]sulfanyl-2-[[(1S)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarbonyl]amino]hept-2-enoic acid 

Intake routine/cycle 

Daily Dose

Take Imipenem + Cilastatin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take Imipenem + Cilastatin injection more than 4 g/day. Overdose may cause tremors, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, or high blood pressure. In case of any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help. 

Imipenem + Cilastatin Summary

 Imipenem 500mg + Cilastatin 500mg injection is a strong antibiotic used in hospitals to treat serious bacterial conditions such as pneumonia, urinary tract problems, skin and soft tissue issues, abdominal, bone and joint, pelvic, and blood infections (sepsis). Imipenem kills bacteria by damaging their protective cell wall, while cilastatin helps the antibiotic stay active longer in the body.  

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash, and pain at the injection site, while serious reactions like allergic responses, seizures, or severe diarrhea need urgent medical care. It should not be used by people allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics or those with uncontrolled seizures and must be given under medical supervision. 

FAQ’s 

What are the side effects of Imipenem? 

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash, and pain at the injection site. Serious effects may include severe allergic reactions, seizures, confusion, severe diarrhea, or liver problems, and need immediate medical attention.

What class of drug does Imipenem belong to? 

Imipenem belongs to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, which are powerful broad-spectrum medicines used to treat serious bacterial infections. 

What is the brand name of Imipenem + Cilastatin? 

 It is commonly sold under brand names like Primaxin or Tienam.  At SayaCare we provide medicines with their original name i.e. generic drugs, at up to 80% lower than market prices, making quality healthcare more affordable. 

What are the contraindications of Imipenem? 

Imipenem should not be used in patients who are allergic to imipenem, cilastatin, or other beta-lactam antibiotics (such as penicillins or cephalosporins), and in those with a history of severe allergic reactions to antibiotics. It is also contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled seizure disorders unless advised by a doctor. 

What is the half-life of Cilostazol? 

Half-life means the time it takes for half of the medicine to leave your body. For cilostazol, this is about 11–13 hours, which means after this time, only half of the drug remains. This is why it is usually taken twice daily to keep working properly. 

What are the uses of Imipenem + Cilastatin injection? 

Imipenem + Cilastatin injection is used to treat serious bacterial conditions such as pneumonia, urinary tract problems, skin and soft tissue issues, abdominal problems, bone and joint conditions, pelvic disorders, blood infection (sepsis), and other severe hospital-acquired illnesses. 

Reference

1. PubChem. Imipenem [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2026 [cited 2026 Feb 9]. Available from 
2. PubChem. Cilastatin [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2026 [cited 2026 Feb 9]. Available from 
3. Cilastatin / Imipenem Dosage Guide + Max Dose, Adjustments [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from 
4. Known hypersensitivity to any component of PRIMAXIN (4) HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from 
5. Cilastatin: View Uses, Side Effects and Medicines | 1mg [Internet]. 1mg. 2025 [cited 2026 Feb 9]. Available from 
6. Lipman B, Neu HC. Imipenem: A New Carbapenem Antibiotic. Medical Clinics of North America. 1988 May;72(3):567–79.       

Pranathi Chintaluri

Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.