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| Other drug names: | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
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[Posted 11/14/2007] FDA issued an early communication about the ongoing review of new safety data and the request for additional data to further evaluate the risk of death in patients treated with cefepime. An article in the May 2007 issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases (Efficacy and safety of cefepime: a systematic review and meta-analysis) raised the question about increased mortality with the use of cefepime, a broad spectrum B-lactam antibiotic currently approved for the treatment of a variety of infections due to susceptible strains of microorganisms. The article describes a higher all-cause mortality in patients treated with cefepime compared to other B-lactam antibiotics. Until FDA's evaluation is completed, healthcare professionals who are considering the use of cefepime should be aware of the risks and benefits described in the product's prescribing information and the new information from this meta-analysis. For more information visit the FDA website at: , http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Cefepime and http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/cefepime.htm. |
Pending revision, the material in this section should be considered in light of more recently available information in the MedWatch notification at the beginning of this monograph.
Your doctor has ordered cefepime, an antibiotic, to help treat your infection. The drug will be either injected into a large muscle (such as your buttock or hip) or added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for 30 minutes, one or two times a day.
Cefepime eliminates bacteria that cause many infections, including pneumonia and skin and urinary tract infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.
Pending revision, the material in this section should be considered in light of more recently available information in the MedWatch notification at the beginning of this monograph.
Before administering cefepime,
Before you administer cefepime, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.
It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.
Pending revision, the material in this section should be considered in light of more recently available information in the MedWatch notification at the beginning of this monograph.
Cefepime may cause side effects. If you are administering cefepime into a muscle, it may be mixed with lidocaine (Xylocaine) to reduce pain at the injection site. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
If you are receiving cefepime intramuscularly (in your muscle), your health care provider will tell you how to store it properly.
Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.
Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
If you are receiving cefepime in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:
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Last Revised -
12/01/2007
Last Reviewed -
09/01/2008
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2009. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
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Page last updated: 23 February 2009 |