Primaxin IV

What is it?

An antibiotic compound preparation, combining a carbapenem and enzyme inhibitor. It is available as 500mg of powder in vials for reconstitution and injection, containing equal parts of imipenem (as monohydrate) and cilastin (as sodium salt). Also, PRIMAXIN IM, a preparation containing 500mg cilastin and 500mg imipenem as powder in vials for reconstitution and intramuscular injection.

Medical Uses

Septicaemia, bone, skin, joint, soft tissue infections, infections of urinary, genital and lower respiratory tracts, abdominal and gynaecological infections. Also, prevention of infection after surgery.

Dosage

Adults, Primaxin IV, 250mg to lg by intravenous infusion every 6 to 8 hours, depending upon nature and severity of infection. Prevention of infection, lg when patient is anaesthetized followed by a further lg dose 3 hours later. Primaxin IM, depending upon nature and severity of infection, in the order of 500 to 750mg by deep intramuscular injection every 12 hours. Maximum dose is 1.5g each day. Patients with gonococca1 inflammation and infection of urethra or cervix receive 500mg as a single dose. Children, use Primaxin IV only, age over 3 months, 15mg per kg of body weight every 6 hours, the maximum daily dose being 2g. Special cure: pregnancy, breastfeeding, patients with kidney disorders, disorders of central nervous system, gastrointestinal diseases (bowel inflammation), granulocytopenia (blood disorder in which there is a reduction in the number of granulocytes), those with known allergy to penicillin, kidney disorders.

Avoid Use

Children aged under 3 months, allergy to 1ignocaine (Primaxin IM only).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Ganciclovir, probenecid.

Known Side Effects

Blood changes, changes in sense of taste, gastrointestinal and central nervous system disturbances, loss of hearing, fits, rise in level of liver enzymes, raised creatinine and urea in blood.