Why is this medicine prescribed?
Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection is used to treat certain serious urinary tract infections including kidney infections, and abdominal (stomach) infections . It is also used to treat certain types of pneumonia that can happen in people who are in the hospital or are on a ventilator. Imipenem is in a class of medications called carbapenem antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Cilastatin is in a class of medications called dehydropeptidase inhibitors. It works by helping imipenem stay active in your body for a longer period of time. Relebactam is in a class of medications called beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by preventing bacteria from destroying imipenem.
Antibiotics such as imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking or using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 30 minutes. It is given every 6 to 8 hours for 4 to 14 days, or as long your doctor recommends treatment.
You may receive imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection in a hospital, or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be using imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems injecting imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, tell your doctor.
Use imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- some medications should not be taken with imipenem, cilastin, and relebactam injection. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting imipenem, cilastin, and relebactam injection with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking imipenem, cilastin, and relebactam injection, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, a stroke, brain lesions, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- seizures
- confusion
- muscle jerks, shakes, or spasms
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- headache
- swelling, pain, or redness near the spot where the medication was injected
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
- seizures
- confusion
- muscle jerks, shakes, or spasms that you can't control
- rash; hives; swelling of the eyes, face, lips or throat; difficulty swallowing or breathing
Imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam injection, call your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.