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Cefepime, Meropenem, or Piperacillin/Tazobactam
These are beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to cell wall rupture and bacterial death.
These are beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to cell wall rupture and bacterial death. Used for Bacterial infections including pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis, Hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections caused by susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
At a glance
| Generic name | Cefepime, Meropenem, or Piperacillin/Tazobactam |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Maxipime, Merrem |
| Sponsor | University of Florida |
| Drug class | Beta-lactam antibiotic (cephalosporin, carbapenem, or aminopenicillin with beta-lactamase inhibitor) |
| Target | Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs); bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin, Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem, and Piperacillin/Tazobactam is a beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination. All three work by disrupting peptidoglycan cross-linking in the bacterial cell wall. Piperacillin/Tazobactam includes tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor that protects piperacillin from enzymatic degradation by resistant bacteria.
Approved indications
- Bacterial infections including pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis
- Hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections caused by susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative organisms
Common side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Phlebitis at injection site
- Allergic reactions (rash, urticaria)
- Seizures (rare, especially with renal impairment)
Key clinical trials
- A Randomised Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Extended and Intermittent Infusion of Beta-lactams in Critically Ill Paediatric Patients. (PHASE4)
- SYN-004 Safety and Tolerability in Allo-HCT Subjects (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Cefotetan Therapy for Escherichia Coli Infections (PHASE2)
- Antibiotic Concentrations Among Critically Ill Patients
- Comparing Oral Versus Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (PHASE4)
- The OPTIMAL TDM Study: Determining Optimal Beta-lactam Plasma Concentrations Through Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
- PHASE II SINGLE-CENTER, RANDOMIZED, OPEN-LABEL, PROSPECTIVE, STUDY TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF SERIAL PROCALCITONIN (PHASE2)
- BL Infusion Trial:Beta-lactam Continuous Versus Intermittent Infusion and Associated Bacterial Resistance and Therapy Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients With Severe Pneumonia (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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