1. Take the MRSA Quiz!
2. Strep or Sore Throat Slideshow Pictures
3. Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin IM, Primaxin IV)?

Do not use imipenem and cilastatin if you are allergic to it, if you have heart block, or if you are allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics (numbing medicine).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• a history of allergy to penicillin antibiotics such as Amoxil, Augmentin, Omnipen, Principen, Dycill, Dynapen, Bactocill, Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pfizerpen, Veetids, and others; or
• a history of allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether imipenem and cilastatin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..

It is not known whether imipenem and cilastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin IM, Primaxin IV)?

Imipenem and cilastatin is injected into a vein (IV) or into a muscle (IM).

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given in a clinic or hospital setting. The IV medicine must be given as a slow infusion and can take up to an hour to complete. Tell your caregiver if you feel nauseated during the infusion. You may need to receive the medicine at a slower rate.

The IM form of imipenem and cilastatin is given as a rapid injection into a muscle. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Primaxin IM (for the muscle) and Primaxin IV (for the vein) are different forms of this medicine and should be used only for their specific type of injection. Do not inject Primaxin IM into a vein and do not inject Primaxin IV into a muscle.

Imipenem and cilastatin is usually given as long as needed until your infection has cleared or you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Imipenem and cilastatin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Imipenem and cilastatin is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent). Primaxin IM and Primaxin IV are each mixed with different types of diluent.

Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection.

After mixing Primaxin IV, you may keep it in a refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.

You may also store the mixed IV medicine at room temperature if you use it within 4 hours. Store unmixed imipenem and cilastatin powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.