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Published on: May 2, 2018

Cefepime: a reappraisal in an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance

Andrea Endimiani1, Federico Perez, Robert A Bonomo

  • 1Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. aendimiani@gmail.com

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|December 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, effectively treats various moderate-to-severe bacterial infections. This review details its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety after extensive clinical use.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.
  • It exhibits broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Approved indications include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and febrile neutropenia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review the clinical use of cefepime.
  • To analyze its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism.
  • To evaluate clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cefepime.
  • Analysis of pharmacodynamic target data.
  • Assessment of clinical trial outcomes and post-marketing surveillance data.

Main Results:

  • Cefepime demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy in treating various infections.
  • Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles support its clinical utility.
  • Generally well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile.

Conclusions:

  • Cefepime remains a valuable therapeutic option for moderate-to-severe infections.
  • Understanding its properties is crucial for optimal clinical management.
  • Continued monitoring of safety and efficacy is warranted.

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