Cefepime (Injection)

Introduction:

Cefepime (SEF-e-peem)

Treats infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Maxipime

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins, or given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• After mixing this medicine for injection, you may store it for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any aminoglycoside antibiotic such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, Amidin®, or Garamycin®. Tell your doctor if you use a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide (Lasix®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have a disease in your digestive tube known as colitis.
• If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
• You should only use this medicine to treat the infection you have at this time. This medicine should not be used to treat other infections unless you talk to your doctor first.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• If you have diabetes, this medicine could affect a urine test for sugar. Clinitest® and similar tests may not work correctly. Ask your doctor how you should do a urine sugar test.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Confusion or seizures.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Diarrhea that may contain blood.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild skin rash.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: