Cefepime and mortality: a real issue?
The fourth-generation cephalosporin, cefepime, has an antimicrobial spectrum that makes it a valuable antibiotic for empirical treatment of neutropenic fever. Randomized trials have proven the efficacy and safety of cefepime in neutropenic fever. However, 2 recent meta-analyses have shown an increased all-cause mortality for cefepime. Since then, many clinicians have been left in doubt about the use of cefepime for this indication. In this paper, we put in perspective some of the methodological and clinical issues and call for further clinical analyses.
Mebis
Jeroen
J
Department of Medical Oncology, Virga Jesse Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium. jeroen.mebis@virgajesse.be
Goossens
Herman
H
Berneman
Zwi Nisan
ZN
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D000077723:Cefepime; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D000077723:Cefepime