Definition

The sodium salt form of cilastatin, a renal dehydropeptidase inhibitor, that can be used to inhibit the activity of renal dehydropeptidase. Upon administration of cilastatin sodium, cilastatin targets, binds to and inhibits the activity of renal dehydropeptidase. This reduces the breakdown of drugs, such as the broad spectrum beta-lactam carbapenem imipenem, by renal dehydropeptidase, and thereby increases the activity and therapeutic effect of such drugs that would otherwise be metabolized by renal dehydropeptidase.