Cefepime injection

Name: Cefepime injection

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of this medication.

Precautions While Using cefepime

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 cefepime. 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 cefepime: 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 cefepime. The results of some tests may be affected by cefepime.

Uses

Cefepime is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

How to use Cefepime HCL Vial

This medication is given by injection into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

If you are using the frozen pre-mixed solution, thaw the bag at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If the bag is thawed in the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature at least 1 hour before using. Do not thaw by putting in a water bath or microwaving. After thawing, shake well and squeeze the bag to check for leaks. Discard solution if the bag leaks. Do not re-freeze the solution after thawing.

For the best effect, use this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, use this medication at the same time(s) every day.

Continue to use this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

For the Consumer

Applies to cefepime: injection powder for solution

Along with its needed effects, cefepime 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 while taking cefepime:

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 of cefepime 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

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

1 to 2 g IV every 12 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis

2 g IV every 12 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Mild to moderate; complicated or uncomplicated: 0.5 to 1 g IV or IM every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days

IM administration is considered to be a more appropriate route for mild to moderate, uncomplicated or complicated urinary tract infections due to E coli.

Severe; complicated or uncomplicated: 2 g IV every 12 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Febrile Neutropenia

2 months up to 16 years and up to 40 kg: 50 mg/kg IV every 8 hours for 7 to 10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection

The maximum pediatric dose should not exceed the recommended dose for adults.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraabdominal Infection

2 months up to 16 years and up to 40 kg: 50 mg/kg IV every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection

The maximum pediatric dose should not exceed the recommended dose for adults.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

2 months up to 16 years and up to 40 kg: 50 mg/kg IV every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection

The maximum pediatric dose should not exceed the recommended dose for adults.

Other Comments

Intravenous cefepime doses should be infused over 30 minutes.

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