Cilastatin Sodium is a pharmaceutical drug used to prevent renal damage. The word "Cilastatin" is spelled phonetically as /ˌsaɪləˈstætən/ (sigh-luh-stat-in), while "Sodium" is phonetically spelled as /ˈsoʊdiəm/ (so-dee-um). The first part of the word "Cilastatin" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by a schwa sound, and ending with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of "Sodium" sounds like "so-dee-um" with the stress on the second syllable. This spelling helps people to pronounce the word correctly, including health professionals who prescribe the medication.
Cilastatin Sodium is a medication that is typically used in combination with certain antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness in treating bacterial infections. It is an inhibitor of the enzyme dehydropeptidase I, which is responsible for the breakdown of the antibiotic drug imipenem.
The primary purpose of cilastatin sodium is to prevent the degradation of imipenem in the kidneys, as dehydropeptidase I is predominantly present in these organs. By inhibiting this enzyme, cilastatin sodium ensures that imipenem remains in its active form for a longer period, allowing it to exert its antimicrobial effects more effectively.
Cilastatin sodium is administered intravenously and is primarily used in hospital settings. It is commonly employed in the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics, such as pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacter species. The medication is typically administered as a continuous infusion over a specified time period, usually alongside imipenem.
As with any medication, cilastatin sodium may have side effects. These can include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and abnormalities in kidney function. Therefore, it is important for medical professionals to carefully monitor patients receiving this medication and adjust the dosage as necessary based on their individual response and overall health.
In summary, cilastatin sodium is a pharmaceutical agent that enhances the effectiveness of imipenem by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for its breakdown in the kidneys. It is used in conjunction with antibiotics to treat infections caused by specific bacteria that are resistant to other drugs.
The word "Cilastatin" is a portmanteau of two words: "cil" and "statin".
1. "Cil" is derived from "Cilast" which comes from the chemical compound "Cilastine". Cilastine is an obsolete name for a chemical substance known as "glutathione reductase inhibitor". It was used as a prototype compound to develop a series of derivatives.
2. "Statin" is derived from the drug class called "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors" or "statins". Statins are a group of medications used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is vital for the production of cholesterol in the liver.