cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam at a glance
Medicine class
Fourth-generation cephalosporin plus beta-lactamase inhibitor.
Licensed population
Adults; safety and efficacy are not established below 18 years.
Administration
Given by a healthcare professional as an infusion into a vein.
Kidney function
Both components are mainly eliminated by the kidneys, so renal function requires particular attention.
Additional monitoring
This product carries the black-triangle symbol for additional safety monitoring.
What is cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam used for?
Licensed uses in adults are:
Complicated urinary tract infection, including pyelonephritis.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Bacteraemia occurring with, or suspected to be associated with, either infection above.
How does cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam work?
Cefepime disrupts bacterial cell-wall production, killing susceptible bacteria. Enmetazobactam blocks certain class A beta-lactamases, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, that would otherwise break down cefepime. It does not inhibit every resistance enzyme.
How to take cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam
Healthcare professionals prepare and administer this medicine as an intravenous infusion. The powder must be reconstituted and then diluted; the reconstituted solution is not for direct injection.
Tell staff about previous serious reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Tell staff about kidney problems and all other medicines being used.
Report pain, redness or swelling around the infusion site.
cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea.
- Headache.
- Rash.
- Pain, inflammation or phlebitis at the infusion site.
- Changes in liver enzymes, bilirubin, blood counts or clotting tests.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including sudden swelling or breathing difficulty.
- Severe blistering, peeling or mucosal rash.
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea, particularly with blood or mucus.
- Confusion, hallucinations, seizures, muscle jerks or reduced consciousness.
- Significant blood-cell disorders, kidney failure or unusual bleeding.
cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam in pregnancy
There are no pregnancy data for this combination. Enmetazobactam caused reproductive toxicity in animal studies, so treatment should be considered only when clearly indicated after specialist assessment of maternal benefit and fetal risk.
cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam while breastfeeding
The combination may pass into human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The prescriber should decide with the patient whether breastfeeding or treatment should be interrupted, considering the benefits of both.
cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam interactions
Clinical interaction data for enmetazobactam are limited. Important considerations include:
Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin
Concurrent use may increase concern about kidney injury, so renal function should be monitored carefully.
Potent diuretics, such as furosemide
Concurrent use warrants careful renal-function monitoring because of nephrotoxic potential.
Coumarin anticoagulants, such as warfarin
Cephalosporins may enhance anticoagulant effects, making clinical and clotting surveillance important.
Common questions about cefepime dihydrochloride monohydrate + enmetazobactam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What infections does it treat?
It is licensed in adults for complicated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia and associated or suspected associated bacteraemia.
Is it a penicillin?
No. Cefepime is a cephalosporin, while enmetazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor structurally related to penicillin.
Why is kidney function checked?
Both components are mainly eliminated by the kidneys. Reduced clearance can increase exposure and neurotoxicity risk.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.