Imipenem
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 9 |
Table of Contents
Imipenem: From Bacterial Infections to Diffuse Scleroderma
One-Sentence Summary
Imipenem is a carbapenem antibiotic, originally used to treat serious bacterial infections such as bacterial pneumonia, peritonitis and endocarditis. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for diffuse scleroderma, but there are 0 clinical trials and 0 publications supporting this prediction, so it rests on model output alone.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Bacterial infections (bacterial pneumonia, peritonitis, endocarditis, bacterial arthritis, endometritis) |
| Predicted New Indication | Diffuse scleroderma |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9999 |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| India Market Status | Listed in a compiled Indian medicine price dataset (at least 20) – CDSCO approval status is not included in this data |
| Number of Listed Products | at least 20 |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Currently, detailed mechanism of action data is not available in the data compiled for this report. Based on known information, imipenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, and its efficacy in bacterial infections is well established.
Diffuse scleroderma, however, is an autoimmune, fibrotic disease, not an infection. No mechanistic link to imipenem’s antibacterial action is evident. The very high TxGNN score is not supported by any clinical or published evidence, so it should be treated as a model-generated hypothesis rather than a credible repurposing signal.
For context, the other predictions for this drug are mostly infectious diseases, where antibacterial activity is plausible:
- Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and salmonellosis are supported only by susceptibility data and case reports (L4).
- Sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis are supported by microbiology surveys only (L4).
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered for diffuse scleroderma.
Literature Evidence
Currently no related literature available for diffuse scleroderma.
India Market Information
Imipenem has 20 valid registrations in India, all single-ingredient injectable products (no combination products and no cancelled licences). Five main authorizations are listed below.
| Authorization Number | Product Name | Dosage Form |
|---|---|---|
| 83903 | Elpentin 500mg/500mg Injection | Vial of 1 Injection |
| 232706 | Ufimep CL 500mg/500mg Injection | Vial of 1 Injection |
| 112937 | Imiron 500mg/500mg Injection | Vial of 1 Injection |
| 57458 | Cilanip 500mg/500mg Injection | Vial of 1 Injection |
| 112405 | Imipol 1000mg/1000mg Powder for Injection | Vial of 1 Powder for Injection |
All marketed forms are injectable (vials of injection or powder for injection).
Safety Considerations
- Contraindication signals from the knowledge graph (not label text): epilepsy, kidney disease, pyoureter, Clostridium difficile colitis, perinatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Drug Interactions: 15 interacting drugs were identified.
- Major: bupropion, iohexol, iopamidol.
- Moderate: warfarin, dicoumarol, theophylline, aminophylline, dyphylline, oxtriphylline, cyclosporine, mycophenolic acid, ethinylestradiol, lindane, pemetrexed, polyethylene glycol (3350 with electrolytes).
For full warnings and contraindications, please refer to the package insert.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The prediction for diffuse scleroderma has no clinical trials or literature behind it and no plausible mechanism, since an antibacterial agent is not expected to act on an autoimmune fibrotic disease. Evidence is model prediction only (L5).
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Any mechanistic or preclinical rationale linking imipenem to fibrosis or autoimmune pathways in scleroderma
- Detailed mechanism of action data (MOA)
- Package insert warnings and contraindications from the India regulatory source
- If the aim is a more credible repurposing direction, evaluate the Staphylococcus aureus infection prediction (L3) instead, noting that its evidence concerns combination regimens rather than imipenem alone
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.