Cilastatin / imipenem Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 6, 2023.
Applies to cilastatin / imipenem: powder for solution.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, cilastatin / imipenem may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cilastatin / imipenem:
More common
- Confusion
- convulsions (seizures)
- dizziness
- pain at place of injection
- skin rash, hives, itching, fever, or wheezing
- tremors
Less common
Rare
- Fever
- severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
- watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody (these side effects may also occur up to several weeks after you stop receiving this medicine)
Other side effects
Some side effects of cilastatin / imipenem may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to cilastatin / imipenem: injectable powder for injection, intramuscular powder for injection, intravenous powder for injection.
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis at the injection site
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain at the injection site, erythema at the injection site, vein induration, local pain and induration at the injection site
Frequency not reported: Infused vein infection, injection site irritation, injection site reaction[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Drug-related nausea and/or vomiting appeared to occur more often in granulocytopenic patients than in nongranulocytopenic patients.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pseudomembranous colitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hemorrhagic colitis, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, glossitis, tongue papillar hypertrophy, heartburn, increased salivation
Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, oral candidiasis, constipation
Postmarketing reports: Staining of the teeth and/or tongue[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash (e.g., exanthematous)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, urticaria
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, angioedema/angioneurotic edema, exfoliative dermatitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperhidrosis, skin texture changes, candidiasis
Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
Beta-lactams:
-Frequency not reported: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS], acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis)[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Eosinophilia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytosis, positive Coombs test, prolonged prothrombin time, decreased hemoglobin
Frequency not reported: Increased eosinophils, increased WBC, increased platelets, decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, increased monocytes, abnormal prothrombin time, increased lymphocytes, increased basophils, decreased neutrophils, increased/decreased platelet count, increased/decreased hematocrit, anemia
Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia, bone marrow depression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum transaminases
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased bilirubin
Frequency not reported: Elevated ALT, elevated AST, increased/decreased bilirubin
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis (including fulminant hepatitis), jaundice, hepatic failure[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fever
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Flushing, asthenia/weakness
Frequency not reported: Increased LDH, decreased serum sodium, increased potassium, increased chloride, facial edema, pain, superinfection
Postmarketing reports: Drug fever[Ref]
Nervous system
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures, myoclonic activity, dizziness, somnolence
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Encephalopathy, paresthesia, focal tremor, hearing loss
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, headache, vertigo, tinnitus
Frequency not reported: Myoclonus
Postmarketing reports: Tremor, dyskinesia, taste perversion[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Palpitations, tachycardia, cyanosis[Ref]
Psychiatric
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Confusion
Postmarketing reports: Psychic disturbances (including hallucinations), agitation
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased BUN, increased creatinine
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Oliguria/anuria
Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure[Ref]
Genitourinary
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Polyuria
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pruritus vulvae
Frequency not reported: Presence of urine protein, presence of urine red blood cells, presence of urine white blood cells, presence of urine casts, presence of urine bilirubin, presence of urine urobilinogen, increased urine protein, presence of urine bacteria
Postmarketing reports: Urine discoloration[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions
Beta-lactams:
-Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions[Ref]
Respiratory
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Chest discomfort, dyspnea, hyperventilation, pharyngeal pain[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Polyarthralgia, thoracic spine pain[Ref]
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References
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.