Common Antibiotic Linked to Possible Higher Death Risk

Cefepime is a powerful antibiotic that has been used for almost three decades to treat serious bacterial infections. In this new analysis, researchers examined 110 randomized clinical trials involving more than 22,000 patients. Overall, 6.6 percent of patients receiving cefepime died, compared with 6.2 percent given other antibiotics. When the researchers restricted their analysis to published, peer-reviewed trials, cefepime was associated with an estimated 17 percent higher odds of death.

The findings do not prove that cefepime itself was responsible for the additional deaths, and the researchers say the drug remains an important treatment for serious infections. Nevertheless, the study raises a safety signal that they say warrants further investigation. Cefepime is already known to sometimes cause serious neurological side effects, particularly in patients whose kidneys are not functioning properly, although it remains unclear whether this could explain the mortality findings.

Antibiotics can undoubtedly be lifesaving when used appropriately, but their benefits should never prevent potential risks from being investigated openly. As this study illustrates, important safety questions can remain even after a medicine has been prescribed for decades. Patients and doctors therefore need reliable information not only about the intended benefits of pharmaceutical drugs, but also about their possible harms. Continuing independent scrutiny after medicines reach the market is essential if patient safety is genuinely to come first.

To read about research published in 2017 which found that long-term use of antibiotics may raise the risk of bowel cancer, see this article on our website.