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Overview: Cefepime is an intravenous (V) antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. Common side effects include diarrhea or pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site. Serious side effects are much less common, but can include a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea.

Uses

What is cefepime used for?

Cefepime is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria (bacterial infection), including people with fever and low white blood cell levels (neutropenia).

Cefepime may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to cefepime, which will make it not work as well.

Cefepime may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does cefepime work (mechanism of action)?

Cefepime kills certain bacteria by preventing them from being able to create their cell wall.

How is cefepime supplied (dosage forms)?

Cefepime is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store cefepime?

Cefepime is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of cefepime?

The most common side effects of cefepime are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site
  • Rash
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
  • Low phosphorus levels
  • Liver damage (see below)
  • Lab changes related to bleeding time
  • Itchiness
  • Fever
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of cefepime that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of cefepime?

While less common, the most serious side effects of cefepime are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cefepime may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using cefepime and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including cefepime. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Blood Disorders. Cefepime can cause blood disorders, such as agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia or neutropenia). Stop using cefepime and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever, chills, or sweats
  • Sore throat
  • Cough or shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Mouth or throat sores
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using cefepime. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using cefepime. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Severe Skin Reactions. Cefepime can cause severe skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop cefepime and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) Problems. Cefepime can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have the following symptoms of brain or CNS problems.

  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Sleepiness
  • Confusion or slowed thinking
  • Coma
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations

Seizures. Some people who have used cefepime have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop using cefepime and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Another Infection With Prolonged Use. Using cefepime for a long period of time may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your healthcare provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use cefepime?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use cefepime.

  • Cefepime
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
  • Corn or corn products

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific cefepime products they stock.

What should I know about cefepime before using it?

Cefepime is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

If you will store cefepime at home, do not share it with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Keep cefepime out of the reach of children.

Cefepime only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. Cefepime will not work for viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other non-bacterial infections. Using cefepime or any other antibiotic when it is not needed (infections other than those caused by bacteria, or the lack of an infection in general) may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using cefepime?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if cefepime is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

  • An allergy to penicillins and/or cephalosporins
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • History of gastrointestinal problems
  • Diabetes or prediabetes
  • Brain problems, including seizures

Other Medicines and Supplements. Cefepime may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using cefepime, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how cefepime could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use cefepime while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Cefepime passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use cefepime while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does cefepime interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between cefepime and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect cefepime, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does cefepime interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using cefepime.

  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin or gentamicin, which is given by injection to treat infections, before using cefepime.
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with cefepime. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much cefepime?

If you or someone else has used too much cefepime, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of cefepime?

Cefepime is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving cefepime as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of cefepime, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to cefepime or other similar medicines.