Тиенам

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Тиенам

Treatment option: Endocarditis

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Тиенам

Тиенам (Tienam) is a brand name for a combination medication containing two active components: imipenem and cilastatin sodium, typically in a 1:1 ratio. This medication belongs to a class of antibiotics known as carbapenems, which are used to treat serious bacterial infections.


Composition and Mechanism of Action

  1. Imipenem: This is the antibiotic component. It works by interfering with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, which ultimately leads to the death of the bacteria (a bactericidal effect). It is a potent, broad-spectrum agent active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
  2. Cilastatin Sodium: This component has no antibacterial activity itself. It is a specific inhibitor of the human enzyme dehydropeptidase-I (DHP-I), which is located in the kidney. When imipenem is administered alone, DHP-I rapidly breaks it down, making it less effective. Cilastatin prevents this renal metabolism, ensuring that adequate and sustained therapeutic levels of imipenem are reached in the bloodstream and urine to effectively fight the infection.

Тиенам is administered only by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection and is reserved for treating severe or complicated infections, such as lower respiratory tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, septicemia, and complicated urinary tract infections.

What side effects are possible with Тиенам?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Тиенам (imipenem/cilastatin) is officially documented by regulatory authorities, classifying observed adverse reactions by frequency and physiological system. This classification provides a formal structure for understanding the medicine’s safety characteristics, distinguishing between common, uncommon, and rare effects.


Frequency and System-Organ Classes

The most Common adverse reactions documented in regulatory sources often involve Gastrointestinal Disorders (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) and Investigations (such as elevated liver enzymes and increased serum creatinine). Local injection site reactions (pain, erythema) are also commonly observed. Uncommon reactions may involve the Nervous System, including dizziness, confusion, and myoclonic activity.


Serious Adverse Reactions

The official labeling highlights the risk of several Serious Adverse Reactions. These include seizures (convulsions), anaphylactic reactions (severe hypersensitivity), and pseudomembranous colitis (severe diarrhea associated with antibiotic use). The risk of seizures is noted to be higher in patients with compromised renal function or pre-existing Central Nervous System disorders.


Safety Constraints and Special Populations

Тиенам is formally contraindicated in individuals with documented hypersensitivity to imipenem, cilastatin, or other carbapenem antibiotics. Specific safety notes apply to special populations: due to the risk of drug accumulation, increased caution is explicitly recommended for Older Adults (Elderly) and those with Renal Impairment. Additionally, co-administration with Valproic Acid is documented to potentially reduce the concentration of the anti-seizure medication, which is a key safety consequence.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory documents define the overdose profile of Тиенам (Imipenem/Cilastatin) primarily by the occurrence of severe Central Nervous System (CNS) adverse reactions. Over-exposure may present with documented manifestations including seizures, myoclonic activity, confusional states, and focal tremor. These adverse reactions are strongly associated with the systemic accumulation of the active components, particularly when recommended doses are exceeded.


Emergency Action

Immediate medical attention is required for the onset of any severe neurological signs, such as seizures or myoclonic activity, or if an overdose is suspected. If such manifestations occur, a neurological evaluation is a documented procedural step necessary for clinical management.


Management and Risk Profile

The official prescribing information identifies specific patient populations at a higher risk of adverse outcomes, including individuals with compromised renal function and those with pre-existing CNS disorders (e.g., a history of seizures). Regulatory documents state that no specific antidote is known for Тиенам overdose. Treatment is focused on symptomatic and supportive care. While both components are cleared by haemodialysis, the usefulness of this procedure in the overdosage setting is officially documented as questionable.

Therapeutic Uses of Тиенам

Тиенам (Tienam), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is commonly used to help manage bacterial infections in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns. It is applied across several therapeutic domains where management of symptoms related to infectious processes is needed. It is relevant for conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, such as those involving abdominal, respiratory, urinary, gynecological, or skin and joint areas.


Therapeutic Domains and Patient Support

Тиенам is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required. It is relevant for managing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as those related to systemic imbalance or increased physiological stress.

“This medication is applied in managing symptoms and may assist with easing the overall symptom load during periods of heightened symptoms.”

This supportive role contributes to improved day-to-day comfort during symptomatic periods.


Quick Fact: Relief for Heightened Discomfort

The medication provides support that helps ease the overall burden of symptoms and contributes to a sense of stability when symptoms become more noticeable.

Regulatory References

  1. European Medicines Agency

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Тиенам — Official Regulatory Information

The eligibility profile for Тиенам (Imipenem/Cilastatin) is strictly defined by government regulatory documents, primarily based on allergy history, kidney function, and age.


Eligibility Classification Population/Condition
Absolute Contraindicated Use Patients with known hypersensitivity to imipenem, cilastatin, or any beta-lactam antibiotic (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins).
Conditional Contraindicated Use Patients with severe renal impairment ( CrCl < 15 mL/min) must not receive the medicine unless haemodialysis is initiated within 48 hours.
Not Recommended Use Infants under 3 months of age (insufficient clinical data). Also, use is not established for treating CNS infections like meningitis.

Age and Condition Restrictions

Adults and children 3 months of age and older are eligible for labeled use. However, patients with a creatinine clearance less than 90 mL/min require a mandatory dose adjustment. Use requires caution in patients with a history of seizures or CNS disorders. During pregnancy, use is permitted only if the benefit is considered to outweigh the potential risk to the fetus, and the medicine is excreted into human milk.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Imipenem/Cilastatin (Тиенам) details several interaction patterns that mandate restrictions on co-administration with other medicinal products and substances.

Contraindicated Combinations and Restrictions

Co-administration is officially not recommended for Valproic Acid or Divalproex Sodium due to a documented rapid and substantial reduction in valproate plasma concentrations, which increases the potential for breakthrough seizures. The combination with Ganciclovir is also restricted because it is officially associated with an increased risk of generalized seizures. Furthermore, Probenecid should be avoided as it increases the plasma level and half-life of Imipenem by decreasing its renal clearance.

Exposure Modification and Pharmacodynamic Effects

Interaction is documented with Ciclosporin, where cases report changes in its serum concentration levels. Imipenem/Cilastatin officially decreases the effects of Live Vaccines (such as the Cholera vaccine) through pharmacodynamic antagonism. The official prescribing information for these vaccines may specify a mandatory timing separation rule, requiring completion of the antibiotic regimen before vaccine administration.

Substance and Population Notes

The drug formulation contains a specific amount of sodium that must be officially considered for patients requiring fluid and sodium restriction. The risk of Central Nervous System adverse events, such as seizures, is noted as being heightened in patients with pre-existing CNS disorders and/or compromised renal function when interacting agents are co-administered.

Mechanism of Action

Тиенам is a combination product composed of imipenem and cilastatin, each exerting a distinct mechanistic action.

Imipenem, a carbapenem compound, acts on susceptible bacterial cells by penetrating the outer membrane and binding as an inhibitor to bacterial Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs), which are transpeptidases essential for peptidoglycan synthesis. Specifically, imipenem exhibits high affinity for multiple PBPs, including PBP-2, PBP-1a, and PBP-1b. The resulting acylation of the active site blocks the transpeptidation reaction, preventing the cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands. This inhibition leads to disruption of cell wall integrity, causing the intracellular consequences of osmotic instability and cellular lysis. The system-level physiological consequence is the modulation of bacterial population dynamics.

Cilastatin is a non-antibiotic agent that functions as a competitive inhibitor of the human renal enzyme dehydropeptidase-I (DHP-I). DHP-I, located in the brush border of the renal tubules, hydrolyzes imipenem, leading to the formation of inactive metabolites. Cilastatin prevents this rapid renal metabolism, increasing the concentration and half-life of active imipenem in the systemic circulation and urinary system. This interaction modifies the pharmacokinetics of imipenem, resulting in greater systemic exposure and maintaining adequate levels of the active molecule.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Principles and Dosing

Тиенам (imipenem and cilastatin) is administered exclusively through parenteral routes, primarily via intravenous (IV) infusion. The IM (intramuscular) route is generally reserved for treating certain milder infections and may not be approved in all regions.

Category Instructions
Route of administration Intravenous (IV) infusion is the primary method; Intramuscular (IM) injection is an approved, though less frequent, option.
Dosing schedule Adult daily dose ranges from 1000 mg to a maximum of 4000 mg of the 1:1 imipenem/cilastatin combination.
Frequency and Timing The dose must be given in equal, divided portions every 6 or 8 hours to maintain consistent drug levels.
Preparation Requirements The product is a powder that must be reconstituted and diluted with a specified solution immediately prior to IV administration.

Procedural and Population Rules

Special procedural conditions:

  • Infusion Duration: IV doses of 500 mg or less are typically infused over 20 to 30 minutes, while 1000 mg doses are infused over 40 to 60 minutes.
  • Renal Adjustment: A mandatory reduction in dose and/or frequency is required for patients with compromised kidney function (creatinine clearance le 70 mL/min).

Age-group administration rules:

  • Pediatric (ge 3 months): Dosing is calculated based on body weight (e.g., 15-25 mg/kg per dose).
  • Older Adults: Dosing primarily relies on their assessed renal function.

These instructions establish a precise procedural structure: dose calculation is based on infection severity and weight, then modified by renal function, and finally delivered through a strictly controlled IV method at fixed, 6- or 8-hour time intervals over a typical 5 to 14-day course.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Тиенам (Imipenem/Cilastatin)


Evidence for Use in Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections (cIAIs)

Research examining the use of imipenem/cilastatin for complicated infections within the abdomen has primarily relied on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. These studies were applied in research contexts involving fluctuating or unstable symptoms in hospitalized adult patients. Researchers focused on two main areas: measuring the clinical response (how symptoms evolved in the observed populations) and the microbiological eradication rates (whether the specific infection-causing bacteria were eliminated).

Studies monitored responses over defined time intervals, reporting short-term measurements of clinical status and microbiological status. Because the medication was studied over many years, trials frequently compare its use against other antibiotic regimens, which means some recent evidence is limited to comparative data.


Evidence for Use in Severe Respiratory Infections (HAP/VAP)

The medication has been studied for severe lung infections acquired in the hospital (HAP) or while on a ventilator (VAP). These trials included hospitalized adults, often in Intensive Care Units (ICU), to assess outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance. Key endpoints studies monitored included all-cause mortality rates at specific time points and the overall clinical response rate (resolution of respiratory signs).

Studies conducted during periods of increased symptom activity tracked the proportion of patients observed to have resolution of symptoms. Research exploring long-term pulmonary function or recovery following treatment for VAP remains limited in the primary evidence base.


Evidence in Special Populations and Uncertainties

Research has explored the use of imipenem/cilastatin in various populations, often as smaller subgroup analyses within larger trials. Pediatric patients (children) have been studied, but the research base has described heterogeneity across studies compared to the data available for adults. Studies also monitored the use of the combination in patients with impaired renal function, examining the observed patterns of imipenem breakdown in these specific observed populations.

Overall, long-term effects are not fully established, as the follow-up durations were limited in many primary efficacy trials. Dedicated research focusing specifically on the original formulation against certain emerging resistant pathogens is not consistently available.

Key Studies & References

  1. Imipenem/Cilastatin Public Assessment Report (e.g., UK/H/1334/001-2/DC or equivalent EMA document)
  2. [Clinical and pharmacokinetic study of imipenem/cilastatin in children and newborn infants] (Pharmacokinetic Study in Special Population)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Тиенам (FAQ)


Q: What is Тиенам indicated for?

A: Тиенам (Imipenem and Cilastatin) is indicated for the treatment of certain serious infections caused by susceptible bacteria. These infections may include those in the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, and certain intra-abdominal and gynecologic infections. Its use is typically reserved for cases where other antibiotics may not be appropriate or effective.


Q: Does research indicate that Тиенам provides rapid recovery from infection?

A: Clinical data suggests that administration of Тиенам is associated with improvement in signs and symptoms of infection. A favorable clinical response was observed in a high percentage of patients with severe nosocomial pneumonia in one open clinical trial. Patient response to antibiotic treatment may vary based on the specific type and severity of the infection.


Q: Are there any known adverse effects associated with Тиенам?

A: As with any medication, use of Тиенам is associated with potential side effects. The most frequently reported adverse events in clinical studies included:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rash
  • Reactions at the injection site

Additionally, there is a risk of developing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, which can range in severity and may occur during or after treatment. It is important to discuss all potential side effects and health history with a healthcare professional.


Q: Can I use Тиенам if I have an existing kidney condition?

A: Data suggests that imipenem and cilastatin are primarily cleared from the body by the kidneys. For patients with reduced kidney function, the body's ability to clear the medication may be affected. A healthcare provider must evaluate kidney status and may need to adjust the amount of medication administered. This assessment is necessary to support appropriate management and reduce the potential for accumulation of the drug.


Q: Is there any specific risk related to the central nervous system (CNS) when using Тиенам?

A: Clinical reports have noted the potential for CNS-related effects. These may include confusion, hallucinations, and seizures, particularly in individuals with pre-existing CNS disorders or compromised kidney function. Patients who are receiving hemodialysis, for example, should be monitored closely, and the use of the drug in this group is generally recommended only after a careful assessment of the potential benefits versus the potential risk of seizures.


Q: Does Тиенам affect the use of other medications?

A: It is known that Тиенам may interact with other medications. Specifically, co-administration with valproic acid or divalproex sodium (used to manage seizures) has been observed to potentially reduce the plasma concentration of valproic acid, which may lead to a loss of seizure control. A healthcare professional should be informed of all prescription, over-the-counter, and supplement use prior to starting treatment.

How should Тиенам be stored and disposed of?

The storage and disposal of TIENAM (imipenem and cilastatin for injection) must adhere strictly to official regulatory conditions to ensure product stability and safety.

Storage Conditions

Product Form Temperature & Protection
Unopened Dry Powder Store below 25 C (77 F), protected from moisture.
Reconstituted Solution Stable for 4 hours at room temperature or 24 hours when refrigerated (mathbf2 C – mathbf8 C). Do not freeze.

The vial must be kept tightly closed, stored in its original, properly labeled container, and kept out of the sight and reach of children (stored locked up).

Disposal Instructions

Disposal must be done in accordance with particular national regulations for pharmaceutical waste. Contents and containers must be disposed of at an approved waste disposal plant; the unused portion of any prepared solution must be discarded. Environmental release (spillage or throwing into wastewater) must be avoided.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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