<p class="minusone">Your doctor has ordered cefepime, an
antibiotic, to help treat your infection. The drug will be either
injected into a large muscle (such as your buttock or hip) or added
to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter
placed in your vein for 30 minutes, one or two times a day.
<p class="minusone">Cefepime eliminates bacteria that cause many
infections, including pneumonia and skin and urinary tract
infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses;
ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
<p class="minusone">Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your
treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is
important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the
laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection
and symptoms respond to the medication.
<a name="precautions"></a>
<h4>Precautions<a class="return" href="#skip">Return to
top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">Before administering cefepime,
<ul class="minusone">
<li>tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to
cefepime, penicillin, cephalosporins [cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil
(Duricef), or cephalexin (Keflex)], or any other drugs.</li>
<li>tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications you are taking, including
vitamins.</li>
<li>tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, or
gastrointestinal disease (especially colitis).</li>
<li>tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking
cefepime, call your doctor.</li>
<li>if you have diabetes and regularly check your urine for sugar,
use Clinistix or Tes-Tape. Do not use Clinitest tablets, because
cefepime may cause false positive results.</li>
</ul>
<a name="administering-your-med"></a>
<h4>Administering your medication<a class="return" href=
"#skip">Return to top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">Before you administer cefepime, look at the
solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material.
Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make
sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is
discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container
leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health
care provider.
<p class="minusone">It is important that you use your medication
exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any
reason because your infection could worsen and result in
hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking
to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell
you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as
a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop
an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your
therapy can continue.
<a name="side-effect"></a>
<h4>Side effects<a class="return" href="#skip">Return to
top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">Cefepime may cause side effects. If you are
administering cefepime into a muscle, it may be mixed with
lidocaine (Xylocaine) to reduce pain at the injection site. Tell
your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do
not go away:
<ul class="minusone">
<li>diarrhea</li>
<li>stomach pain</li>
<li>upset stomach</li>
<li>vomiting</li>
</ul>
<p class="minusone">If you experience any of the following
symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
<ul class="minusone">
<li>skin rash</li>
<li>unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>difficulty breathing</li>
<li>hives</li>
<li>sore mouth or throat</li>
</ul>
<a name="storage-conditions"></a>
<h4>Storing your medication<a class="return" href="#skip">Return to
top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">
<ul class="minusone">
<li>Your health care provider probably will give you a several-day
supply of cefepime at a time. If you are receiving cefepime
intravenously (in your vein), you probably will be told to store it
in the refrigerator.</li>
<li>Take your next dose from the refrigerator 1 hour before using
it; place it in a clean, dry area to allow it to warm to room
temperature.</li>
</ul>
<p class="minusone">If you are receiving cefepime intramuscularly
(in your muscle), your health care provider will tell you how to
store it properly.
<p class="minusone">Store your medication only as directed. Make
sure you understand what you need to store your medication
properly.
<p class="minusone">Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when
you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out
of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how
to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to
avoid accidental injury.
<a name="overdose"></a>
<h4>In case of emergency/overdose<a class="return" href=
"#skip">Return to top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">In case of overdose, call your local poison
control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is
not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
<a name="signs-of-infection"></a>
<h4>Signs of infection<a class="return" href="#skip">Return to
top</a></h4>
<p class="minusone">You should be aware of the symptoms of
infection in case your infection worsens or a new infection
develops. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your
health care provider as soon as possible:
<ul class="minusone">
<li>fever</li>
<li>unusual tiredness or weakness</li>
<li>chills</li>
<li>shaking</li>
<li>nighttime sweating</li>
<li>loss of appetite</li>
</ul>
<p class="minusone">If you are receiving cefepime in your vein or
under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a
catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters
your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near
your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon
as possible:
<ul class="minusone">
<li>tenderness</li>
<li>warmth</li>
<li>irritation</li>
<li>drainage</li>
<li>redness</li>
<li>swelling</li>
<li>pain</li>
</ul>