Sodium Content in Cefepime
Cefepime contains approximately 73 mg (3.2 mEq) of sodium per gram of cefepime, resulting in a daily sodium load of 146-438 mg (6.4-19.2 mEq) depending on the dosing regimen used. 1
Standard Dosing Sodium Loads
- For typical dosing of 2 g every 8-12 hours, patients receive 146-219 mg (6.4-9.6 mEq) of sodium per day 1
- For higher-intensity regimens of 2 g every 8 hours (6 g daily), the sodium load increases to approximately 438 mg (19.2 mEq) daily 1
- In pediatric patients receiving 100-150 mg/kg/day, the sodium load is proportionally lower based on the total daily dose administered 1, 2
Clinical Populations Requiring Sodium Monitoring
Critically ill ICU patients warrant particular attention due to cumulative sodium exposure from multiple sources 1:
- Patients receiving multiple sodium-containing medications simultaneously
- Those on high-volume intravenous fluid resuscitation
- Patients with heart failure, renal insufficiency, or hypertension where sodium restriction is therapeutically important
Practical Considerations
The sodium content in cefepime is relatively modest compared to some other beta-lactam antibiotics. However, when cefepime is used at higher doses (such as 6 g daily for culture-negative prosthetic valve endocarditis 3) or in combination with other sodium-containing medications and fluids, the cumulative sodium burden can become clinically significant 1.
For patients requiring strict sodium restriction, calculate the total daily sodium intake from all sources, including cefepime, intravenous fluids, and other medications, to ensure therapeutic sodium goals are maintained 1.