Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. Cefepime is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and has greater activity against both compared to third-generation antibiotics.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 6 references
Cefepime is a bactericidal cephalosporin with a mode of action similar to other beta-lactam antibiotics. Cefepime disrupts bacterial cell walls by binding and inhibiting transpeptidases known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which are enzymes involved in the final stages of peptidoglycan layer synthesis. This results in the lysis and death of susceptible microorganisms. Cefepime has a broad spectrum of in vitro activity that includes both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cefepime has affinity for PBP-3 and PBP-1 in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as PBP-2 in E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae.
- Primary indication
- Cefepime is indicated for the treatment of pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria, and for empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients.Curator reviewed · 13 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C19H24N6O5S2 · 480.561 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2009 · United States, 1996 · European Union, 2024
- Code names
- BMY-28142
- Brand names
Resolves to
HVFLCNVBZFFHBT-ZKDACBOMSA-NSMILESCO\N=C(/C(=O)N[C@@H]1C(=O)N2[C@]1([H])SCC(C[N+]1(C)CCCC1)=C2C([O-])=O)C1=CSC(N)=N1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Cefepime, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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