skip to main content

What does it do?

Cefepime is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent bacterial infections.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How is it given?

Cefepime is given as an infusion or injection into a vein, or as an injection into a muscle. It is usually given to you by a health professional.

What if you forget a dose?

Contact your health professional as soon as possible. Usually, the missed dose is given as soon as possible, and treatment continued as directed. 

Can you take other medicines?

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Symptoms of allergy including: skin rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing

Tell your health professional immediately

Severe or persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain

Small white sores in mouth, furry tongue (oral thrush)

Vaginal itch or discharge (vaginal thrush)

Tell your health professional

Stomach upset

Irritation or pain at injection site

Tell your health professional if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.


This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

Web links for this sheet in different formats

Click on buttons to copy web addresses for this leaflet:

If your browser does not automatically copy these links use its copy command instead.

About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed