Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including strains resistant to earlier cephalosporins. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell death. Cefepime was first synthesized in the 1980s and subsequently approved for clinical use in the early 1990s. It was developed to overcome limitations of third-generation cephalosporins, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other multi-drug resistant organisms. The drug is commonly administered intravenously or intramuscularly for severe infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and sepsis. Its introduction marked an important advancement in the treatment of complicated infections where earlier antibiotics were less effective. Cefepime remains a critical antibiotic in hospital and intensive care settings due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and stability against many beta-lactamases.
