Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.
It has an extended spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with greater activity against both types of organism than third-generation agents.
Trade names Maxipime, Voco
Pregnancy category AU: B1
Routes of administration- Intravenous, intramuscular.
Bioavailability 100% (IM)
Metabolism
Hepatic 15%
Elimination half-life 2 hours
Excretion Renal 70–99%
Cefepime is usually reserved to treat moderate to severe nosocomial pneumonia, infections caused by multiple drug-resistant microorganisms (e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia.
It has good activity against important pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and multiple drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Cefepime is stable, unlike other cephalosporins and is a front-line agent when infection with Enterobacteriaceae is known or suspected.
It has been used to treat bacteria responsible for causing pneumonia and infections of the skin and urinary tract, including Pseudomonas, Escherichia, and Streptococcus species.
Cefepime has been associated with neurotoxicity: altered mental status, myoclonus, and nonconvuldive seizure epilepticus.
Risk for cefepime neurotoxicity is increase with kidney dysfunction and higher dose exposures.