Cefepime

Excerpt

Cefepime, a potent cephalosporin belonging to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics, addresses a spectrum of bacterial infections caused by gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Cefepime's efficacy is validated by FDA approval for conditions including pneumonia, complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections (in conjunction with metronidazole), and as an empiric treatment for neutropenic fever. The mechanism of action inherent to cefepime aligns with other beta-lactam antibiotics, disrupting bacterial cell wall synthesis. By covalently binding to key enzymes engaged in the final step of transpeptidation during peptidoglycan wall synthesis, cefepime induces structural defects in the cell wall, culminating in autolysis and the subsequent demise of the infectious organism. This module meticulously elucidates the indications, contraindications, adverse effects, dosing parameters, and monitoring considerations associated with cefepime. This educational resource empowers clinicians to leverage cefepime effectively in managing bacterial infections among hospitalized patients.