Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Shasthya স্বাস্থ্য · Health, made simple
বাং
Community data Updated 23 hours ago

Cefepime Hydrochloride

Fourth generation cephalosporins Prescription
Check interactions
🌐 বাংলায় দেখুন

Indications

Pneumonia Skin and Soft Tissue Infection

Cefepime Hydrochloride is used to treat the following infections when they are caused by susceptible strains of the microorganisms named. The first is moderate to severe pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (including cases with concurrent bacteremia), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Enterobacter species. The second is febrile neutropenia, where Cefepime Hydrochloride alone (monotherapy) is indicated for empiric treatment of febrile neutropenic patients. Some patients are at high risk for severe infection, including those with a history of recent bone marrow transplantation, with hypotension at presentation, with an underlying hematologic malignancy, or with severe or prolonged neutropenia. In these patients antimicrobial monotherapy may not be appropriate, and there isn't enough data to support the efficacy of cefepime monotherapy. The third is uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis). These are covered when the infection is severe and caused by Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae, or when it is mild to moderate and caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Proteus mirabilis. This includes cases with concurrent bacteremia with these microorganisms. The fourth is uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains only) or Streptococcus pyogenes. The last is complicated intra-abdominal infections, where Cefepime Hydrochloride is used in combination with metronidazole. These infections are caused by Escherichia coli, viridians group streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species or Bacteroides fragilis.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Cefepime Hydrochloride is a cephalosporin, and cephalosporins kill bacteria (they are bactericidal). They work in the same way as other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as the penicillins. They interfere with the making of the peptidoglycan layer in the bacterial cell wall. This layer keeps the cell wall strong and intact, and that matters most in Gram-positive organisms. The last step in building peptidoglycan is called transpeptidation, and it is carried out by enzymes known as penicillin binding proteins (PBPs), which are transpeptidases.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Cefepime is listed as Pregnancy Category B. Even so, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of cefepime in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies don't always predict how a human will respond, so the medicine should be used during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed.

Cefepime passes into human breast milk in very low concentrations (0.5 pg/ml). Caution should still be taken when cefepime is given to a nursing woman.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Cefepime should be given intravenously over about 30 minutes. For moderate to severe pneumonia due to S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae or Enterobacter species, the dose is 1 to 2 gm IV 12 hourly for 10 days. For empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic patients, give 2 gm IV 8 hourly for 7 days, or until the neutropenia resolves. For mild to moderate uncomplicated or complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae or P. mirabilis, the dose is 0.5 to 1 gm IV/IM 12 hourly for 7 to 10 days. For severe uncomplicated or complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, due to E. coli or K. pneumoniae, give 2 gm IV 12 hourly for 10 days. For moderate to severe uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to S. aureus or S. pyogenes, the dose is 2 gm IV 12 hourly for 10 days. For complicated intra-abdominal infections caused by E. coli, viridans group streptococci, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter species or B. fragilis, give 2 gm IV 12 hourly for 7 to 10 days, and use it in combination with metronidazole. A few notes go with these doses. The pneumonia and urinary tract infection doses also cover cases with concurrent bacteremia. If a patient's fever settles but the neutropenia continues for more than 7 days, the need for continued antimicrobial therapy should be re-evaluated frequently. The IM route is indicated only for mild to moderate, uncomplicated or complicated UTls due to E. coli, and only when IM is considered the more appropriate route of giving the drug.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.

Key Interactions

Checker →