Global Study Links Cefepime to 6.6% Death Rate vs 6.2% for Rivals

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 15

110 randomized trials covering more than 22,000 patients found 6.6% mortality with cefepime versus 6.2% with other beta-lactam antibiotics, with the signal strongest in adults and febrile neutropenia cases.
Bayesian analysis put the probability of higher all-cause mortality with cefepime at 94.4%, rising to 98.6% when researchers limited the review to 73 peer-reviewed published trials.
Researchers did not call for cefepime to be stopped, saying the data show an association rather than proof of causation and pointing to possible underdosing, overdosing and neurotoxicity as explanations.
Cefepime remains widely used in hospitals for serious infections including pneumonia, UTIs, meningitis and skin infections, underscoring the need for clearer dosing guidance and further safety research.