Imipenem cilastatin
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Imipenem/cilastatin is a broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic containing equal quantities of imipenem and cilastatin. It is related to the penicillin/cephalosporin family of antibiotics but is classified as belonging to the carbapenem class. It has the ability to kill a wide variety of bacteria. It works by interfering with their ability to form cell walls, and therefore the bacteria break up and die.
Category
Carbapenem
US Brand Names
PRIMAXIN®
FDA Package Insert
Description | Clinical Pharmacology | Microbiology | Indications and Usage | Contraindications | Warnings and Precautions | Adverse Reactions | Overdosage | Dosage and Administration | Compatibility, Reconstitution, and Stability | Directions For Use | How Supplied | Labels and Packages
Mechanism of Action
Imipenem cilastatin belongs to the carbapenem class of antimicrobials. Imipenem cilastatin exerts its bactericidal activity by inhibiting bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Imipenem cilastatin inactivates multiple essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) resulting in inhibition of cell wall synthesis with subsequent cell death. In E. coli and P. aeruginosa, imipenem cilastatin binds to PBP 2, which is involved in the maintenance of cell shape, as well as to PBPs 3 and 4.