Cefepime-Induced Encephalopathy in Patients Treated for Urinary Tract Infection

Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic administered intravenously used to treat various bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections. Administering cefepime to patients should be done with caution, understanding both potential risks and side effects. A 74-year-old female presented to the family medicine clinic with abdominal pain and a history of urinary tract infections. The workup included a CT scan that showed bowel obstruction and bladder wall thickening. Due to a history of urinary tract infections, three days following the presentation, the patient underwent an explorative laparotomy. Following the laparotomy, the patient was started on cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Five days following the initial presentation, the patient became confused and was nonverbal. An encephalopathy workup showed a negative MRI, but an EEG was consistent with encephalopathy. Cefepime was discontinued. Forty-eight hours after cefepime was discontinued, the patient returned to baseline with normal cognitive function. It is crucial that clinicians understand the different classifications of antibiotics, as well as the drugs and potential side effects of prescriptions. Cefepime can be used in gram-negative infections with resistance to more generic antibiotics. It has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, making it effective in treating meningitis. It has also been shown to cause encephalopathy as a side effect. It is important that clinicians understand the different generations of cephalosporins, as well as the cross-reactions and potential side effects of prescriptions. These factors must be considered when prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as cefepime.