Severe but reversible encephalopathy associated with cefepime

In this study, a report has been made of 19 cases of severe encephalopathy in patients with renal impairment who were treated during the last three ye ars for various infections with cefepime, a new parenteral cephalosporin an tibiotic. All patients (aged 57 to 91 years) presented a prolonged confusio nal state associated with diffuse rhythmic non-reactive triphasic sharp wav es on the EEG. All the electroclinical symptomatology disappeared within 24 -48 hours after discontinuation of drug administration. A clear relation wa s found between encephalopathy and cefepime intake. These observations unde rline the fact that the cefepime dosage should be reduced in renally impair ed patients. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.