Cefepime
Generic: CEFEPIME
Basic Information
Manufacturer
Apotex Corp.
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Route of Administration
INTRAMUSCULAR
FDA Set ID
d63d360a-15ec-44a4-b80d-b2a5cb5759eb
Indications & Usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cefepime for Injection is a cephalosporin antibacterial indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: • Pneumonia.
( 1.1 ) • Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients.
( 1.2 ) • Uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis).
( 1.3 ) • Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.
( 1.4 ) • Complicated intra-abdominal infections (used in combination with metronidazole) in adults.
( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefepime for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefepime for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
( 1.6 ) 1.1 Pneumonia Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of pneumonia (moderate to severe) caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae , including cases associated with concurrent bacteremia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Enterobacter species.
1.2 Empiric Therapy for Febrile Neutropenic Patients Cefepime for Injection as monotherapy is indicated for empiric treatment of febrile neutropenic patients.
In patients at high risk for severe infection (including patients with a history of recent bone marrow transplantation, with hypotension at presentation, with an underlying hematologic malignancy, or with severe or prolonged neutropenia), antimicrobial monotherapy may not be appropriate.
Insufficient data exist to support the efficacy of cefepime monotherapy in such patients [ see Clinical Studies (14.1) ].
1.3 Uncomplicated and Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (including pyelonephritis) Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis) caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae , when the infection is severe, or caused by Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Proteus mirabilis , when the infection is mild to moderate, including cases associated with concurrent bacteremia with these bacteria.
1.4 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only) or Streptococcus pyogenes .
1.5 Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections (used in combination with metronidazole) Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (used in combination with metronidazole) in adults caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli , viridans group streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Enterobacter species, or Bacteroides fragilis [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ].
1.6 Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefepime for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefepime for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.
In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
( 1.1 ) • Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients.
( 1.2 ) • Uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis).
( 1.3 ) • Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.
( 1.4 ) • Complicated intra-abdominal infections (used in combination with metronidazole) in adults.
( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefepime for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefepime for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
( 1.6 ) 1.1 Pneumonia Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of pneumonia (moderate to severe) caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae , including cases associated with concurrent bacteremia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Enterobacter species.
1.2 Empiric Therapy for Febrile Neutropenic Patients Cefepime for Injection as monotherapy is indicated for empiric treatment of febrile neutropenic patients.
In patients at high risk for severe infection (including patients with a history of recent bone marrow transplantation, with hypotension at presentation, with an underlying hematologic malignancy, or with severe or prolonged neutropenia), antimicrobial monotherapy may not be appropriate.
Insufficient data exist to support the efficacy of cefepime monotherapy in such patients [ see Clinical Studies (14.1) ].
1.3 Uncomplicated and Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (including pyelonephritis) Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis) caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae , when the infection is severe, or caused by Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Proteus mirabilis , when the infection is mild to moderate, including cases associated with concurrent bacteremia with these bacteria.
1.4 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only) or Streptococcus pyogenes .
1.5 Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections (used in combination with metronidazole) Cefepime for Injection is indicated in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (used in combination with metronidazole) in adults caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli , viridans group streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Enterobacter species, or Bacteroides fragilis [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ].
1.6 Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefepime for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefepime for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.
In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Adverse Reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in the Warnings and Precautions section and below: • Hypersensitivity Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Neurotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] •The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 1%) were local reactions, positive Coombs’ test, decreased phosphorous, increased ALT and AST, increased PT and PTT and rash.
( 6.1 ) •At the highest dose (2 g every 8 hours), incidence of adverse reactions was ≥1% for rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pruritis, fever, and headache.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp.
at 1-800-706-5575, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In clinical trials using multiple doses of cefepime, 4137 patients were treated with the recommended dosages of cefepime (500 mg to 2 g intravenous every 12 hours).
There were no deaths or permanent disabilities thought related to drug toxicity.
Sixty-four (1.5%) patients discontinued medication due to adverse reactions.
Thirty-three (51%) of these 64 patients who discontinued therapy did so because of rash.
The percentage of cefepime-treated patients who discontinued study drug because of drug-related adverse reactions was similar at daily doses of 500 mg, 1 g, and 2 g every 12 hours (0.8%, 1.1%, and 2%, respectively).
However, the incidence of discontinuation due to rash increased with the higher recommended doses.
The following adverse reactions ( Table 5 ) were identified in clinical trials conducted in North America (n=3125 cefepime-treated patients).
Table 5: Adverse Reactions in Cefepime Multiple-Dose Dosing Regimens Clinical Trials in North America Incidence equal to or greater than 1% Local adverse reactions (3%), including phlebitis (1.3%), pain and/or inflammation (0.6%)*; rash (1.1%) Incidence less than 1% but greater than 0.1% Colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis), diarrhea, erythema, fever, headache, nausea, oral moniliasis, pruritus, urticaria, vaginitis, vomiting, anemia At the higher dose of 2 g every 8 hours, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher among the 795 patients who received this dose of cefepime.
They consisted of rash (4%), diarrhea (3%), nausea (2%), vomiting (1%), pruritus (1%), fever (1%), and headache (1%).
The following ( Table 6 ) adverse laboratory changes, with cefepime, were seen during clinical trials conducted in North America.
Table 6: Adverse Laboratory Changes in Cefepime Multiple-Dose Dosing Regimens Clinical Trials in North America Incidence equal to or greater than 1% Positive Coombs’ test (without hemolysis) (16.2%); decreased phosphorus (2.8%); increased Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (2.8%), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (2.4%), eosinophils (1.7%); abnormal PTT (1.6%), Prothrombin Time (PT) (1.4%) Incidence less than 1% but greater than 0.1% Increased alkaline phosphatase, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), calcium, creatinine, phosphorus, potassium, total bilirubin; decreased calcium Hypocalcemia was more common among elderly patients.
Clinical consequences from changes in either calcium or phosphorus were not reported.
, hematocrit, neutrophils, platelets, White Blood Cells (WBC) A similar safety profile was seen in clinical trials of pediatric patients 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Cefepime for Injection.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
In addition to the adverse reactions reported during the North American clinical trials with cefepime, the following adverse reactions have been reported during worldwide postmarketing experience.
Encephalopathy (disturbance of consciousness including confusion, hallucinations, stupor, and coma), aphasia, myoclonus, seizures, and nonconvulsive status epilepticus have been reported.
[ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Anaphylaxis including anaphylactic shock, transient leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia, have been reported.
6.3 Cephalosporin-Class Adverse Reactions In addition to the adverse reactions listed above that have been observed in patients treated with cefepime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibacterial drugs: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, and pancytopenia.
( 6.1 ) •At the highest dose (2 g every 8 hours), incidence of adverse reactions was ≥1% for rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pruritis, fever, and headache.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp.
at 1-800-706-5575, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In clinical trials using multiple doses of cefepime, 4137 patients were treated with the recommended dosages of cefepime (500 mg to 2 g intravenous every 12 hours).
There were no deaths or permanent disabilities thought related to drug toxicity.
Sixty-four (1.5%) patients discontinued medication due to adverse reactions.
Thirty-three (51%) of these 64 patients who discontinued therapy did so because of rash.
The percentage of cefepime-treated patients who discontinued study drug because of drug-related adverse reactions was similar at daily doses of 500 mg, 1 g, and 2 g every 12 hours (0.8%, 1.1%, and 2%, respectively).
However, the incidence of discontinuation due to rash increased with the higher recommended doses.
The following adverse reactions ( Table 5 ) were identified in clinical trials conducted in North America (n=3125 cefepime-treated patients).
Table 5: Adverse Reactions in Cefepime Multiple-Dose Dosing Regimens Clinical Trials in North America Incidence equal to or greater than 1% Local adverse reactions (3%), including phlebitis (1.3%), pain and/or inflammation (0.6%)*; rash (1.1%) Incidence less than 1% but greater than 0.1% Colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis), diarrhea, erythema, fever, headache, nausea, oral moniliasis, pruritus, urticaria, vaginitis, vomiting, anemia At the higher dose of 2 g every 8 hours, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher among the 795 patients who received this dose of cefepime.
They consisted of rash (4%), diarrhea (3%), nausea (2%), vomiting (1%), pruritus (1%), fever (1%), and headache (1%).
The following ( Table 6 ) adverse laboratory changes, with cefepime, were seen during clinical trials conducted in North America.
Table 6: Adverse Laboratory Changes in Cefepime Multiple-Dose Dosing Regimens Clinical Trials in North America Incidence equal to or greater than 1% Positive Coombs’ test (without hemolysis) (16.2%); decreased phosphorus (2.8%); increased Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (2.8%), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (2.4%), eosinophils (1.7%); abnormal PTT (1.6%), Prothrombin Time (PT) (1.4%) Incidence less than 1% but greater than 0.1% Increased alkaline phosphatase, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), calcium, creatinine, phosphorus, potassium, total bilirubin; decreased calcium Hypocalcemia was more common among elderly patients.
Clinical consequences from changes in either calcium or phosphorus were not reported.
, hematocrit, neutrophils, platelets, White Blood Cells (WBC) A similar safety profile was seen in clinical trials of pediatric patients 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Cefepime for Injection.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
In addition to the adverse reactions reported during the North American clinical trials with cefepime, the following adverse reactions have been reported during worldwide postmarketing experience.
Encephalopathy (disturbance of consciousness including confusion, hallucinations, stupor, and coma), aphasia, myoclonus, seizures, and nonconvulsive status epilepticus have been reported.
[ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Anaphylaxis including anaphylactic shock, transient leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia, have been reported.
6.3 Cephalosporin-Class Adverse Reactions In addition to the adverse reactions listed above that have been observed in patients treated with cefepime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibacterial drugs: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, and pancytopenia.