<prompt> Imipenem is combined with cilastatin to:Cilastatin prevents degradation of imipenem in kidneyCilastatin inreases intestinal absorption of imipenemCilastatin inhibits beta lactamase activityBoth have synergistic activity against Pseudomonas  <response>: Ans. A Cilastatin prevents degradation of imipenem in kidneyRef: Goodman and Gilman 13the p1035Imipenem is rapidly inactivated by renal dehydropeptidase I, so it is combined with cilastatin, an inhibitor of this enzyme.Cilastatin increases the half life of imipenem and also inhibits the formation of nephrotoxic metabolite.Meropenem, doripenem and ertapenem are not metabolized by renal dehydropeptidase 