Cefepime Is a Fourth-Generation Cephalosporin Antibiotic Given Intravenously to Treat Serious Bacterial Infections

If your doctor has mentioned Cefepime as part of your treatment plan, you probably have questions. What is it? How does it work? What are the risks? This guide covers everything you need to know about Cefepime in clear, straightforward language.

What Is Cefepime?

Cefepime (Cefepime Hydrochloride) is a prescription antibiotic that belongs to a class of drugs called fourth-generation cephalosporins, which are part of the larger beta-lactam antibiotic family. It was originally sold under the brand name Maxipime (now discontinued in the U.S.), and today it is available only as a generic medication.

Key facts about Cefepime:

• Drug class: Fourth-generation cephalosporin (beta-lactam antibiotic)
• Brand name: Maxipime (discontinued)
• Generic: Yes — manufactured by Hospira/Pfizer, Apotex, Baxter, B. Braun, Hikma, Sagent, and others
• Administration: Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection only — there is no oral (pill) form
• Controlled substance: No
• FDA approved: Yes, for multiple serious infection types

Cefepime is a hospital-grade antibiotic. Unlike many antibiotics that come in pill form, Cefepime must be administered through an IV line or injection by a healthcare professional. You will not find this at a retail pharmacy.

What Is Cefepime Used For?

The FDA has approved Cefepime for treating several types of serious bacterial infections:

• Pneumonia — moderate to severe cases that require hospital-level antibiotic treatment
• Complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) — including pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections — when IV treatment is needed
• Skin and skin structure infections — uncomplicated cases in hospitalized patients
• Complicated intra-abdominal infections — used in combination with Metronidazole
• Febrile neutropenia — Cefepime is a first-line treatment for fever in cancer patients whose immune systems are weakened by chemotherapy

Doctors also prescribe Cefepime off-label for conditions like brain abscess, meningitis, sepsis, bone infections (osteomyelitis), and prosthetic joint infections.

Cefepime is especially effective against gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is often resistant to other antibiotics. This makes it a critical tool in hospital settings.

How Is Cefepime Taken?

Cefepime is not available as a pill, capsule, or liquid you take by mouth. It must be given:

• Intravenously (IV) — through a vein, typically as a 30-minute infusion. In some cases, extended infusions of 3–4 hours are used for serious Pseudomonas infections.
• Intramuscularly (IM) — by injection into a large muscle, though IV is far more common

Typical Dosing

Dosing depends on the type and severity of your infection:

• Mild to moderate infections: 1–2 grams IV every 12 hours
• Severe infections: 2 grams IV every 8 hours
• Febrile neutropenia: 2 grams IV every 8 hours
• Children (2 months to 16 years): 50 mg/kg every 8–12 hours, up to a maximum of 2 grams per dose

Treatment courses typically last 7 to 14 days, depending on the infection.

Dose Adjustments

Your doctor will check your kidney function (creatinine clearance) before and during treatment. Because Cefepime is eliminated through the kidneys, patients with reduced kidney function need lower doses or longer intervals between doses. Failure to adjust the dose is the primary cause of Cefepime neurotoxicity.

Patients on hemodialysis may need supplemental doses after dialysis sessions since Cefepime is removed during the procedure.

Where You Receive Cefepime

Cefepime can be administered in several settings:

• Hospital (inpatient) — the most common setting; the hospital pharmacy supplies the medication
• Outpatient infusion center — for patients stable enough to go home between infusions
• Home infusion — a specialty pharmacy delivers Cefepime to your home, and a nurse teaches you or a caregiver to administer it through a PICC line or other IV access

Who Should Not Take Cefepime?

Cefepime is not safe for everyone. You should not receive Cefepime if you have:

• A known allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics — including Cefepime itself or any cephalosporin
• A history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics — while cross-reactivity is only about 1–2%, a history of anaphylaxis is a contraindication
• A known hypersensitivity to L-arginine — which is a component in the Cefepime formulation

Make sure to tell your doctor about all allergies before starting treatment. Also share your complete medication list, as Cefepime can interact with other drugs. Learn more in our guide to Cefepime drug interactions.

How Much Does Cefepime Cost?

Since Cefepime is only available as a generic and is administered in clinical settings, pricing works differently than a typical retail prescription:

• Individual vials: Approximately $5–$45 per vial depending on the size (500 mg, 1 g, or 2 g)
• Full treatment course: $50–$400+ depending on dose and duration
• With discount programs: As low as $50–$93 for a typical course through discount cards

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance plans cover Cefepime as part of their hospital formulary. How it is billed depends on where you receive treatment:

• Inpatient hospital: Cefepime is bundled into your facility charges
• Outpatient infusion: Covered under medical benefits (Medicare Part B or commercial medical)
• Home infusion: Coverage varies — check with your insurance plan, as some require prior authorization

For tips on reducing costs, see our guide on how to save money on Cefepime.

Available Formulations

Cefepime comes in several formulations for clinical use:

• 500 mg vial for injection (powder for reconstitution)
• 1 g vial for injection (powder for reconstitution)
• 2 g vial for injection (powder for reconstitution)
• 1 g/50 mL premixed IV bag (in 5% dextrose)
• 2 g/100 mL premixed IV bag (in 5% dextrose)

Premixed bags are often preferred in hospital settings because they reduce preparation time and the risk of compounding errors.

Final Thoughts

Cefepime is a powerful and important antibiotic used in hospitals for serious bacterial infections. It is only given intravenously, meaning your treatment will be managed by a healthcare team in a clinical setting. Understanding the basics — what it treats, how it is given, who should avoid it, and what it costs — helps you be an informed participant in your own care.

If you have been prescribed Cefepime and want to learn more, explore our related guides:

• How Cefepime works — mechanism of action explained
• Cefepime side effects and when to call your doctor
• How to find Cefepime in stock near you

For help finding Cefepime availability, visit Medfinder.