Drug & supplement interaction

Biofeedback + Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam

Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam brand name: Recarbrio.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Biofeedback has a moderate interaction with Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam. There is some concern that electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback might lower the seizure threshold in some patients.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Biofeedback and Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS

Why this applies to Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam

Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam falls under SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS — the group Biofeedback interacts with.

There is some concern that electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback might lower the seizure threshold in some patients. Theoretically, combining EEG biofeedback with seizure threshold-lowering drugs might increase the risk of seizure.
Some drugs that lower the seizure threshold include anesthetics (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antibiotics (amphotericin, penicillin, cephalosporins, imipenem), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), theophylline, and others.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the thing to know about this pairing. Recarbrio contains imipenem, which is a carbapenem antibiotic that can, on its own, slightly lower the seizure threshold in some people. That means it can make the brain a touch more prone to seizure activity, especially at higher doses or in folks with kidney problems or a history of seizures. EEG (brainwave) biofeedback has a theoretical concern of doing something similar in certain patients.

Stacking the two together could, in theory, add up and raise seizure risk a bit. I'll be honest, this is a theoretical concern, not something proven to commonly happen, and ordinary relaxation biofeedback is very low risk. Since Recarbrio is reserved for serious infections, please just mention any biofeedback you're doing to your doctor or pharmacist so they can keep an eye out.

References
  1. Friel PN. EEG biofeedback in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Altern Med Rev 2007;12:146-51.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Biofeedback Also Interacts With Other Medications

Biofeedback has 417 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Biofeedback

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Biofeedback. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam

This page covers Biofeedback only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam page lists 33 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Bacillus Coagulans (moderate), Bacillus Subtilis (moderate), Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis (moderate), Bifidobacterium Bifidum (moderate) and Bifidobacterium Breve (moderate).

By severity: 32 moderate · 1 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam page

“Anyone getting Recarrio (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is fighting a serious infection, usually in a hospital, and probiotics are exactly what people reach for during a course of antibiotics. That is why 27 of the 33 supplement interactions on file involve probiotic organisms, from acidophilus to fermented milk drinks.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Biofeedback and Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Biofeedback
Top 25%

#259 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam
Top 25%

#289 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Treatment approach

About Biofeedback

What is Biofeedback?

  • Chronic pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Anxiety and stress
  • High blood pressure
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Tension and muscle relaxation

Biofeedback is a mind-body technique, not an herb or supplement. It uses sensors to show you real-time information about body functions like heart rate, muscle tension, or skin temperature so you can learn to control them. It is generally very safe and has reasonable evidence for headaches, certain pain conditions, and pelvic floor problems, but it works best alongside standard medical care.

Read the full Biofeedback monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Imipenem, Cilastatin, and Relebactam Injection

What Is Imipenem, Cilastatin, and Relebactam Injection Used For?

Brand name: Recarbrio

Recarbrio (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) is used to treat serious bacterial infections in adults and in children weighing at least 2 kg. It targets infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria — the kinds that can be resistant to many other antibiotics.

Recarbrio is approved to treat hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP). It is also approved — in patients who have limited or no other treatment options — for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis (a kidney infection), and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) such as serious abdominal cavity infections.

See full Imipenem, Cilastatin, and Relebactam Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Biofeedback

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Biofeedback — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
417Moderate
0Minor
2,412No known interaction
Moderate

417 interactions

Showing 60 of 417 moderate interactions — see all 417 on the Biofeedback page.

No interaction 2,412 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Having Biofeedback While Taking Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam: Common Questions

Can you have Biofeedback while taking Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Biofeedback and Imipenem, Cilastatin, Relebactam interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.