Study Raises Fresh Safety Questions Over Widely Used Antibiotic
What Happened
A large review published in JAMA Network Open found that the antibiotic cefepime, commonly used to treat serious bacterial infections, had a 94.4% probability of being associated with higher odds of death compared with other β-lactam antibiotics. Researchers analyzed more than 100 randomized trials involving 22,608 patients. Deaths occurred in 6.6% of cefepime-treated patients versus 6.2% in comparison groups.
Key Takeaways
The findings do not prove cefepime causes deaths, but they revive long-running concerns about its safety. Researchers say factors such as incorrect dosing or drug-related neurotoxicity may play a role. Despite the findings, cefepime remains an important frontline treatment for severe infections and drug-resistant bacteria, and experts stress that patients should not stop prescribed antibiotics without medical advice.