Adult
Cefepime
Warning
General Information
Fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
Do NOT use if patient has a history of severe penicillin allergy. If in doubt, discuss with Micro/ID
Restricted formulary antimicrobial: For details see OUH netFormulary
AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Watch'. Use as per guidelines. All other indications to be discussed with Micro/ID.
For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF and Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).
Dosing
| Intravenous Dose | |
| Standard Dose | 1g - 2g BD |
| High Dose* | 2g TDS |
*High Dose is needed for:
- Infection due to Staphylococcus aureus and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- CNS infection
- Febrile neutropenia
- Severe infection including critical care patients.
Obesity
For obese patients consider using 2g TDS instead of 2g BD, taking into account the patient's renal function.
Renal and hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
| Creatinine clearance (ml/min)** | Usual cefepime dose 1g BD | Usual cefepime dose 2g BD | Usual cefepime dose 2g TDS |
| More than 50 | Dose as in normal renal function. | ||
| 30 - 50 | 1g OD | 2g OD | 2g BD |
| 10 - 29 | 1g OD | 2g OD | 2g OD |
| Less than 10 | 500mg OD | 1g OD | 1g OD |
| HDF/High Flux | Dialysed. Speak to specialist pharmacist. | ||
| PD | Dialysed. 500mg – 2g every 48 hours, dose depends on indication. |
||
**dose ranges use creatinine clearance, rather than eGFR
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment required.
References
- Renascience Pharma Ltd. Renapime 2g Powder for solution for injection/infusion summary of product characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Last revision of the text: 02/09/25 Accessed via https://www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 24/3/26
- British National Formulary. Cefepime. BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com Accessed 24/3/26.
- The Renal Drug Database. Cefepime. Last updated 9/11/23. Accessed via https://renaldrugdatabase.com Accessed 24/3/26
- Sandford Guide [online]. Cefepime. Last updated 13/3/26. Accessed via: https://webedition.sanfordguide.com. Accessed 24/3/26