clarithromycin + imipenem

Clarithromycin + imipenem is an investigational antibiotic combination consisting of the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin and the carbapenem antibiotic imipenem. This combination has demonstrated synergistic antibacterial activity, particularly against Mycobacteroides abscessus complex (M. abscessus), a group of nontuberculous mycobacteria known for multidrug resistance. Clarithromycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, while imipenem inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins and blocking peptidoglycan cross-linking. The combined use significantly reduces minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) compared to monotherapy with either agent, including in resistant strains of M. abscessus[1][2]. This synergy may restore antimicrobial susceptibility in otherwise resistant infections.

Other names

clarithromycin and imipenemimipenem-clarithromycin combination