Fourth-generation cephalosporin
Cefepime
Brand names: Maxipime
Adult dose
Dose: 1–2g IV q8–12h
Route: IV
Frequency: q8–12h
Clinical pearls
- BSAC / UKHSA: anti-pseudomonal cephalosporin — neutropenic sepsis, complicated UTI, pneumonia
- MHRA Drug Safety Update: dose-adjust in renal impairment to avoid neurotoxicity
- Limited UK availability vs piperacillin-tazobactam / meropenem
Contraindications
- Severe beta-lactam hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Cefepime-induced encephalopathy / non-convulsive status epilepticus (renal impairment — MHRA)
- C. difficile
- GI upset
- Hypersensitivity
- Eosinophilia
Interactions
- Aminoglycosides
- Probenecid
- Warfarin
Monitoring
- Renal function (dose adjustment)
- Mental state
- C. diff
Reference: BNF; BSAC; UKHSA; MHRA Drug Safety Update; SmPC; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/cefepime/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Infective Endocarditis · ESC 2023 Infective Endocarditis Guidelines; NICE NG41
- Eczema Herpeticum · BAD; NICE CKS
- Suspected Bacterial Meningitis (Adult) · NICE NG240 (2024); NICE NG143 (paeds)
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021
- Returning Traveller — Fever · NaTHNaC; PHE; ESCMID 2018
- Malaria — Diagnosis & Management · PHE 2016; WHO 2023