Cefepime Study Flags 94.4% Higher Mortality Probability in Adults Across 110 Trials
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Sep 15
Cefepime Study Flags 94.4% Higher Mortality Probability in Adults Across 110 Trials
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Sep 15
Summary
JAMA Network Open pooled 110 randomized trials covering more than 22,000 patients and found a 94.4% probability that cefepime was linked to higher 30-day all-cause mortality than other beta-lactam antibiotics.
778 deaths occurred among 11,726 cefepime patients, or 6.6%, versus 6.2% in comparison groups; the signal was stronger in adults than children and most pronounced in febrile neutropenia.
Researchers said the finding shows association, not proof of causation, and pointed to difficult dosing and possible neurotoxicity as plausible explanations for worse outcomes.
Cefepime remains widely used for serious hospital infections, and the authors did not urge stopping it but called for added guidance and further safety research.