Cefepime Injection

Cefepime injection is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria including pneumonia, and skin, urinary tract, and kidney infections. Cefepime injection is used in combination with metronidazole (Flagyl) to treat abdominal (stomach area) infections. Cefepime injection is also used to treat patients who have fever and are at high risk for infection because they have a low number of white blood cells. Cefepime injection is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics such as cefepime injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Cefepime injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid, or as a premixed product, to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 30 minutes. Cefepime injection can also be given intramuscularly (into a muscle). It is usually given every 8 or 12 hours for 7 to 10 days.

You may receive cefepime injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving cefepime injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefepime injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Use cefepime injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using cefepime injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Given the high cost of medical care, it’s hardly a shock that patients are drowning in medical debt. Almost 20% of American households have delinquent medical bills that affect their credit report, according to NBC News. Having medical bills in collections makes it more difficult for patients to engage in other economic activities, such as purchasing a home or securing a loan to start a business.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

Cefepime injection is also sometimes used to treat endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves), meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spine), and infections in the blood. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking cefepime injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefepime; carbapenem antibiotics; other cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil,cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefepime injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), streptomycin, and tobramycin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefepime injection, call your doctor.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.