imipenem

noun

im·​i·​pen·​em ˌi-mə-ˈpe-nəm 

: a semisynthetic carbapenem antibiotic C₁₂H₁₇N₃O₄S·H₂O that is derived from a bacterium (Streptomyces cattleya) and is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

imipenem

noun

im·​i·​pen·​em ˌim-ə-ˈpen-əm 

: a semisynthetic beta-lactam C₁₂H₁₇N₃O₄S·H₂O that is derived from an antibiotic produced by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. cattleya) and is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria

Note: Because imipenem is hydrolyzed by a dipeptidase in the kidney, it is administered with cilastatin, an inhibitor of this enzyme.

Five days before admission, the patient was evaluated by an infectious-disease specialist and readmitted to the other hospital for intravenous administration of a three-day course of imipenem-cilastatin …

—Stephen I. Pelton et al., The New England Journal of Medicine