From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
There is no direct oral equivalent to intravenous cefepime, and the choice of oral antibiotic depends on the infection being treated, culture results, and patient factors. When converting from IV cefepime to oral therapy, common options include oral cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, or cefdinir if a cephalosporin is preferred 1. For broader coverage similar to cefepime, consider amoxicillin-clavulanate, fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole depending on the infection site and susceptibility patterns 2. The decision should be guided by culture and sensitivity results whenever possible. Some key points to consider when selecting an oral antibiotic include:
- The type of infection being treated
- The patient's medical history and current condition
- The susceptibility patterns of the infecting organism
- The potential for adverse reactions and interactions with other medications Oral conversion is appropriate only when the patient is clinically improving, can tolerate oral medications, and has a functioning gastrointestinal tract. The timing of conversion typically occurs after 48-72 hours of clinical improvement on IV therapy 3. Remember that no oral cephalosporin provides the same broad gram-negative coverage as cefepime, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, so careful consideration of the infecting organism is essential before switching to oral therapy 4.