Imipenem

• A ß-lactam antibiotic: carbapenem, similar to meropenem.

• Bactericidal

• Usual adult dose: 500mg tds IV. May be increased to 1g tds for severe infections

• Very broad spectrum predisposes to candida and other multi-resistant organisms.

• If renal impairment, consider using meropenem. Dosage reduction necessary.

• No oral preparation.

• Preparation contains cilastatin: and inhibitor of the renal enzyme that metabolises and inactivates imipenem. Has no intrinsic antibacterial activity.

• May cause seizures – contraindicated if history of epilepsy: use meropenem.

Main indications:

• No longer used at NUH, replaced by meropenem

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)

• Haemolytic streptococcus

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Enterococcus faecalis

• Listeria monocytogenes

• Neisseira meningitidis

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Escherichia coli

• Klebsiella spp

• Other Coliforms

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

• Anaerobes

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA

• Staphylococcus epidermidis

• Enterococcus faecium

• Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

• Candida and other fungal pathogens

*some strains of Ps aeruginosa may become resistant during treatment. Meropenem has better pseudomonal activity.

Page last edited: 09/02/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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