Antimicrobials
Imipenem/cilastatin

Imipenem/cilastatin

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

5 mg/kg IV q8h. Infuse over 20-60 minutes.

5-10 mg/kg IV q8h. Infuse over 20-60 minutes.

Use only as a last resort for resistant infections in small animals and horses. Typically meropenem is used when a carbapenem is required.

  • Bactericidal, time-dependent
  • May be bacteriostatic against some bacteria
  • Administered parenterally
  • Imipenem is widely distributed
  • Eliminated by renal and non-renal mechanisms
  • GI effects
  • Central nervous system toxicity
  • Infusion reactions
  • Administration may be painful
  • Imipenem is combined with cilastatin to avoid renal toxicity
  • Synergistic activity with aminoglycosides
  • Antagonism when used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics

No approved veterinary product in Canada.

  • Extremely expensive
  • Should be administered by a veterinarian
  • Giguère S, Prescott JF, Dowling PM, Eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine. 5th ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2013.
  • Plumb DC. Imipenem/Cilastatin. Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Updated September 2017.