
Meta-analysis links cefepime to higher mortality; dosing guidance urged
A Bayesian meta-analysis of 110 randomized trials (over 22,000 patients) found cefepime associated with higher all-cause mortality (778 deaths; 6.6%) versus other beta-lactams (6.2%), with a 94.4% probability—and 98.6% in the subset of 73 peer‑reviewed trials—that the drug raises risk. The association was stronger in adults and especially among febrile neutropenia patients. The researchers caution this shows association, not causation, and call for better dosing guidance and further study rather than an outright discontinuation of cefepime.









