Maxipime Attorneys

Maxipime (cefepime) is an antibiotic also marketed under the trade names Maxcef, Cepimex, Cepimax, and Axepim. Its broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and low toxicity profile contribute to its widespread use.

Maxipime is usually reserved to treat:

• Severe nosocomial pneumonia
• Infections caused by multi-resistant microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia

A 2007 study that combined data from multiple trials (Yahav et al.) suggested that the mortality rate was higher in patients treated with cefepime compared with other beta-lactam antibacterials. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) followed up with its own study and did not find a statistically significant increase in mortality. The agency determined that cefepime remained an appropriate therapy for its approved indications.

The use of cefepime may become less common, however, because it has been associated with an increase in mortality when used for infections other than the ones strictly indicated for. And in Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers published in June 2009, the FDA proclaimed that it was continuing to review the safety of cefepime. It further announced that as part of the review, the FDA and Bristol-Myers Squibb were conducting separate analyses of mortality associated with cefepime using hospital drug utilization data.

The publication encourages that adverse reactions associated with the use of cefepime be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. If you or a loved one has been injured or experienced such adverse effects, or if you have been prescribed Maxipime or other drug containing cefepime for an infection or other indication for which cefepime has not been approved, you may also be entitled to compensation.

Contact a qualified pharmaceutical injury or medical malpractice attorney for an evaluation of your case.