Description
Cefepime injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Powder for Solution
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefepime injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 months of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefepime injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefepime injection.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiloride
- Bemetizide
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Benzthiazide
- Bumetanide
- Canrenoate
- Canrenone
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Clopamide
- Cyclopenthiazide
- Cyclothiazide
- Diazoxide
- Eplerenone
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etozolin
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hydroflumethiazide
- Indapamide
- Methyclothiazide
- Metolazone
- Piretanide
- Polythiazide
- Quinethazone
- Spironolactone
- Torsemide
- Triamterene
- Trichlormethiazide
- Warfarin
- Xipamide
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Brain disease (e.g., encephalopathy, severe confusion) or
- Colitis (inflammation in the gut), history of or
- Diarrhea (severe), history of or
- Myoclonus (muscle twitching or jerking) or
- Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. You may need a lower dose of this medicine, as this may increase risk of having seizures.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
Precautions
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Cefepime injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you or your child stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while receiving this medicine: confusion, loss of consciousness, jerking or twitching of the muscles, seizures, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, or severe sleepiness.
Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Abdominal or stomach cramps
- back, leg, or stomach pains
- bleeding gums, nosebleeds
- confusion
- convulsions
- dark urine
- difficulty with breathing
- fever, chills
- general body swelling
- headache
- irregular heartbeats
- loss of appetite
- mood or mental changes
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- tremor
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Less common
- Bluish color
- pain, tenderness
- swelling of the foot or leg
Rare
- Diarrhea
- inflammation or swelling
- watery or bloody diarrhea
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- blurred vision
- change in consciousness
- chest pain
- cough or hoarseness
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- itching, hives
- muscle twitching or jerking
- paralysis
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- rhythmic movement of the muscles
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- severe sleepiness
- stiff neck
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- swollen or painful glands
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- vomiting of blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Red streaks on the skin
- swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site
Rare
- Itching of the vagina or genital area
- pain during sexual intercourse
- redness of the skin
- sore mouth or tongue
- thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
- white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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