IV antibiotics compatible with D5W ?

DookieMeisterRN · Oct 21, 2011

Consult your pharmacist or drug book.....ASAP!

Relly? How is anyone supposed to answer your question if you don't even know the names of the meds?

It surprises me how some make it through NS and pass the boards :grn:

cindyloowho · Oct 21, 2011

Well, first of...imipramine is not an antibiotic.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Drug reference books have compatibility charts, usually inside the front and back covers.

It's SO important that you get the basic info yourself, and then when you have questions about what you have found, c'mon back, and I bet a LOT Of people will be so happy to help you out. But yeah- you have to know the names of the meds, and tell what you have found out about them :)

It says you're a new nurse... what did you use to find out this during school ??

Will wait to see what you have :up:

graceomalleyRN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Hi all, i am a new nurse. I had a question about compatibility of IV antibiotics. There is an antibiotic - Imipramine (something like that) its combination with some other antibiotc (cant remember the name) so the question is - can we piggyback that antibiotic with D5W ? Pls reply asap. Thanks!

Always check with your in-hospital pharmacist or whoever your facility designates appropriate for med questions. I'm pretty sure the Joint Commission would have an issue with you asking here.

merlee · Oct 21, 2011

Isn't it quicker to call the pharmacy or read the literature than to post here???

I am constantly amazed at what some people post rather than look up/ask locally/or even Google before they come here!

And isn't it truly wondrous that so many of us managed to make it through without the Internet, nursing forums, or even computers??? I actually had to use a typewriter to do my papers! And I managed to keep in touch with family and friends without a cell phone attached to my body.....

talaxandra · Oct 21, 2011

And isn't it truly wondrous that so many of us managed to make it through without the Internet, nursing forums, or even computers??? I actually had to use a typewriter to do my papers!

I remember submitting hand written papers and getting a special thank you for typing an assignment!

To the OP - I know everyone above me has already said this, but seriously? AN's awesome for a multitude of things, including information, but not this, espcially when you don't even know the name or type of drug.

[sarcastica]Oh, wait, I've changed my mind. Yeah, it's compatable with 5% dextose and saline/dextrose combinations but not straight saline. Dilute it in 736ml and infuse it at a rate no greater than 6.2ml/k/min[/sarcastica]

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 21, 2011

I thought I remembered giving some combination antibiotic that had something like Imipramine in it. But then I haven't given it in about 10 years cause it's not commonly given to neonates (which is what I've done for over 9 years).

I also had trouble looking it up on the internet (which I did just for curiosity). Why did I have trouble? Well, it wasn't staring at me from a vial/minibag, whatever.

I did finally remember the name of the drug I think the OP may be referencing. I'll give this hint; Imipramine is not given IV.

Also, some facilities do not have a pharmacist available 24 hrs, so I have some sympathy. But one might try "package insert" in one's on-line search. I sometimes find though that compatibilities are not easily found without a specific text. I always tried to keep a nursing drug book that was no more than 5 years old.

Another "trick" if one works at a facility that doesn't have a 24 hr pharmacist. Call another larger hospital's pharmacy. Sometimes they want to know which patient one is calling about but for questions like the OP's they will often just answer them. I did that one time, though to be fair I did work at the larger hospital PRN and I knew the direct number to pharmacy.

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Hi all, i am a new nurse. I had a question about compatibility of IV antibiotics. There is an antibiotic - Imipramine (something like that) its combination with some other antibiotc (cant remember the name) so the question is - can we piggyback that antibiotic with D5W ? Pls reply asap. Thanks!

Are you talking about Imipenem/Cilastatin or Primaxin? If so, it is compatabile with either NS or D5W, but as others have stated, check with your pharmacist, drug comaptibility charts, drug inserts.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

In less time that it took you to type this, I found this. I really worry about your "critical thinking skills".

http://www.vhpharmsci.com/PDTM/Monographs/imipenemcilastatin.htm

diva rn, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2011

I just had to say....wow...that's all....

thehipcrip · Oct 22, 2011

I'm not a nurse and I found both the correct name of the ABX and the answer to the question! This doesn't fill me with confidence about the competency of some of the new grads entrusted with keeping me alive.