Risk of serious neurologic adverse events, including encephalopathy, associated with cefepime particularly in patients with renal impairment who received doses that exceeded the recommendations

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) would like to inform healthcare professionals of cases of serious neurologic adverse events, including encephalopathy, that have been reported in patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 50 ml/min) treated with cefepime. Most of these cases had occurred in patients with renal impairment who had received dosages above the recommended, especially in elderly patients. Although the events of neurotoxicity were generally reversible upon cefepime treatment discontinuation and/or haemodialysis, some cases had a fatal outcome. Healthcare professionals are reminded to consider dosage adjustments according to the renal function status of patients who are treated with cefepime. Information on the recommended initial and maintenance dosages for patients with renal impairment can be found in the Singapore Package Insert for Maxipime®. Please refer to the letter for details.  Published: 13 Mar 2018

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