title: Is there a rationale for the continuous infusion of cefepime? A multidisciplinary approach.
abstract: This review is the fruit of multidisciplinary discussions concerning the continuous administration of beta-lactams, with a special focus on cefepime. Pooling of the analyses and viewpoints of all members of the group, based on a review of the literature on this subject, has made it possible to test the hypothesis concerning the applicability of this method of administering cefepime. Cefepime is a cephalosporin for injection which exhibits a broader spectrum of activity than that of older, third-generation cephalosporins for injection (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime). The specific activity of cefepime is based on its more rapid penetration (probably due to its zwitterionic structure, this molecule being both positively and negatively charged) through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, its greater affinity for penicillin-binding proteins, its weak affinity for beta-lactamases, and its stability versus certain beta-lactamases, particularly derepressed cephalosporinases. The stability of cefepime in various solutions intended for parenteral administration has been studied, and the results obtained demonstrated the good compatibility of cefepime with these different solutions. These results thus permit the administration of cefepime in a continuous infusion over a 24-h period, using two consecutive syringes.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breilh
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bru
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiche
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garraffo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lavrard
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Potel
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077723:Cefepime; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D000077723:Cefepime