Overall clinical utility of the intramuscular preparation of imipenem/cilastatin.

Imipenem is the broadest-spectrum antibiotic currently available but requires frequent intravenous dosing for efficacy. A recently formulated finely milled preparation can be given intramuscularly in small volumes and demonstrates kinetics favorable for 12-hourly intramuscular administration. The intramuscular imipenem formulation has been proven to be effective for mild to moderate infections of many body sites, as demonstrated by other papers in this symposium. The advantages of intramuscular administration include: less frequent dosing, avoidance of the complications of intravenous administration (phlebitis, bacteremia, fluid overload, nursing time), ability to use the drug in settings where intravenous administration is either undesirable or impossible and, surprising to medical personnel, greater patient satisfaction.