title: Intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin treatment of upper reproductive tract infection in women: efficacy and use characteristics.
abstract: We evaluated the efficacy, patient and medical staff acceptance, and costs of intramuscular therapy with imipenem/cilastatin for mild to moderate upper reproductive tract infection in hospitalized women in an open study. Thirty-five patients were enrolled, and 29 successfully completed the protocol. Of these, 90% were satisfactorily treated with imipenem/cilastatin given intramuscularly. Twenty-eight of 29 subjects tolerated the intramuscular injections well, although 7 women noted mild to moderate discomfort during injection. All patients who had previously received intravenous therapy (24/29) stated that they preferred the intramuscular injections to continuation or reinitiation of intravenous treatment. Therapy with intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin (assuming a marketed price per gram of approximately $30) was associated with cost savings in comparison with other regimens offering similar antibacterial coverage. Initial care provider resistance to treatment with intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin was overcome due to patient satisfaction. Intramuscularly administered imipenem/cilastatin was effective, generally well tolerated, and resulted in cost saving. Intramuscular administration of imipenem/cilastatin may be a preferred antibiotic treatment in patients with mild to moderate infection due to susceptible microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004716:Endometritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000191:economics; D008795:Metronidazole; D010349:Patient Compliance; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D008795:Metronidazole; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination