UTI Knowledge Center
Antibiotic Spotlight

Cefepime

Emery Haley, PhD, Scientific Writing Specialist

Cefepime

Find the Latest FDA-Approved Labelling Information Here: Drugs@FDA Online Database

Administrative Routes

Parenteral [intravenous infusion (IV) or intramuscular injection (IM)]

Other Names

Maxipime

Bacteriostatic or Bactericidal

Bactericidal [1]

Antibiotic Class

Fourth-Generation Cephalosporin

Mechanisms of Action

Cefepime, a beta-lactam antibiotic, binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) on bacterial cell walls. PBPs are essential for the formation of peptidoglycan, which gives the bacterial wall strength and integrity. Binding of cefepime to PBPs leads to failure of peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis, causing bacterial cell death.

WHO AWaRe Classification

Watch [2]

Empiric Use Recommendations

Yes (preferred for complicated UTI with or without sepsis) [Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)] [3]

Indication(s) Relevant to UTI

On label for both uncomplicated and complicated UTIs, including pyelonephritis, caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis.

Checkmarks

CLSI and/or FDA documents support the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Acinetobacter baumannii, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Corynebacterium riegelii, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter Group organisms, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Streptococcus agalactiae, Serratia marcescens, and Viridans Group Streptococci.   

Published primary literature supports the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organism from the Guidance® UTI test: Alloscardovia omnicolens ​[4]​

About the Author

Dr. Emery Haley is a scientific writing specialist with over ten years of experience in translational cell and molecular biology. As both a former laboratory scientist and an experienced science communicator, Dr. Haley is passionate about making complex research clear, approachable, and relevant. Their work has been published in over 10 papers and focuses on bridging the gap between the lab and real-world patient care to help drive better health outcomes.

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References
  1. Ishak, A.; Mazonakis, N.; Spernovasilis, N.; Akinosoglou, K.; Tsioutis, C. Bactericidal versus Bacteriostatic Antibacterials: Clinical Significance, Differences and Synergistic Potential in Clinical Practice. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 2024, 80, 1–17, doi:10.1093/jac/dkae380
  2. AWaRe Classification of Antibiotics for Evaluation and Monitoring of Use, 2023 Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2023.04 (accessed on 6 February 2025).
  3. Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (CUTI): Clinical Guidelines for Treatment and Management Available online: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/complicated-urinary-tract-infections/ (accessed on 28 July 2025).
  4. Isnard, C.; Lienhard, R.; Reissier, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Krähenbühl, J.; Liassine, N.; Guérin, F.; Cattoir, V. In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Alloscardovia Omnicolens and Molecular Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 2016, 84, 227–229, doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.08.009.