Consumer Medicine Information
PRIMAXIN®
imipenem/cilastatin sodium
500 mg/500 mg Vial for injection
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about PRIMAXIN. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using PRIMAXIN against the benefits he or she expects it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What PRIMAXIN is used for
PRIMAXIN is an antibiotic which is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria (germs). These infections may occur in many different parts of the body.
PRIMAXIN is sometimes given in addition to other antibiotics.
PRIMAXIN works by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
Before you are given PRIMAXIN
When you must not be given it
Do not use PRIMAXIN if you have an allergy to PRIMAXIN or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Before you are given it
Your doctor must know about all of the following before you are given PRIMAXIN, if you have or have had:
- any allergies to other antibiotics, in particular, penicillins and cephalosporins
- allergies to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes
If you have any of these allergies you may be allergic to PRIMAXIN. - a history of seizures or fits, or brain disease
- kidney disease or urinary problems
- heart block
- any other medical conditions, including problems with your bowels
If you are pregnant or are breast-feeding your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using PRIMAXIN during pregnancy and breast-feeding. PRIMAXIN passes into breast milk.
Tell your Doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you have bought from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work, and some should not be used together at all as they may harm people.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given any PRIMAXIN.
How PRIMAXIN is given
PRIMAXIN is given as a slow injection into a vein. PRIMAXIN must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose of PRIMAXIN you will receive, depending on your infection and other factors, such as your weight.
PRIMAXIN is usually given in divided doses throughout the day.
While you are using PRIMAXIN
Things you must do
- Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you feel sick while you are receiving PRIMAXIN.
Your doctor may need to slow down the rate of the injection. - Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you develop severe diarrhoea, even if it occurs several weeks after PRIMAXIN has been stopped.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor. - Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures and you are taking anticonvulsant medicines.
You should continue taking these medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Some patients may develop tremors or seizures while receiving PRIMAXIN.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how PRIMAXIN affects you. PRIMAXIN generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, it may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to PRIMAXIN before you drive a car or operate machinery.
Adverse Effects
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given PRIMAXIN.
PRIMAXIN helps most people with infection, but it may have unwanted adverse-effects in a few people. All medicines can have adverse effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the adverse effects. PRIMAXIN generally does not cause any problems.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- pain, swelling or red skin where you had the injection
- nausea, vomiting
- diarrhoea
These are the more common adverse effects of PRIMAXIN.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- high temperature, also called fever
- seizures or fits
- tremors, confusion
- encephalopathy
- mood swings and/or impaired judgement
- hallucinations
- tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
- fast or irregular heart beat, also called palpitations
- passing little or no urine (water)
- bruising more easily than normal
- signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, being short of breath, and looking pale
- yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
- signs of liver disease, also called hepatitis
- skin problems such as rash or itchiness
- red or purplish-red patches on the skin
- hearing loss
- taste distortion
- severe abdominal or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- tongue discolouration
- drug fever
These are serious adverse effects of PRIMAXIN. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious adverse effects are rare.
A few people may be allergic to some medicines. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- dizziness, light-headedness, fainting
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- shortness of breath
- itchy skin rash
- pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettlerash
If you have these, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to PRIMAXIN. You may need urgent medical attention.
Also, tell your doctor if you notice:
- staining of your teeth and/or tongue
- a change in the colour of your urine
These are other adverse effects that have been reported with PRIMAXIN.
Other adverse effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible adverse effects. You may not experience any of them.
After PRIMAXIN has been stopped
Things you must do
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following adverse effects particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with PRIMAXIN:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever
These are all serious adverse effects. You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical attention. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Storage
PRIMAXIN will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The powder for injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not use PRIMAXIN if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
Product description
Ingredients
Active ingredients:
- PRIMAXIN 500 - imipenem 500 mg and cilastatin 500 mg (as the sodium salt) per vial
- PRIMAXIN 500 in MONOVIAL - imipenem 500 mg and cilastatin 500 mg (as the sodium salt) per vial
Inactive ingredients:
- sodium bicarbonate
Supplier
PRIMAXIN is supplied in New Zealand by:
Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Limited
P O Box 99 851
Newmarket
Auckland
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: 0800 500 673
This leaflet was prepared in November 2007
CP-TEN-1007(021107)
®Registered Trademark of Merck & Co Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
Copyright© 2005 Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.