RT Journal
A1 Eng RK, Munsif AN, Yangco BG, Smith SM, Chmel H
T1 SEizure propensity with imipenem
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD August 1
VO 149
IS 8
SP 1881
OP 1883
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390080131029
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390080131029
AB • Five patients with seizures related to imipenem administration are described. The potential of imipenem therapy to cause seizure was further studied in a mouse model and compared with the potential for seizure with penicillin and cefotaxime therapy. Penicillin caused ataxia and seizure at a mean mouse serum level of 5800 μm/mL, cefotaxime at 3400 μm/mL, and imipenem at a much lower serum concentration of 1900 μm/mL. The potent activity of imipenem therapy against bacteria, allowing for a clinical dose of only 2 g/d, is unfortunately offset by its higher propensity to induce neurologic symptoms in humans and mice at much smaller doses than would therapy with penicillin G or the cephalosporins, such as cefotaxime.(Arch Intern Med. 1989;149:1881-1883)