Cefepime Dosing for Pulmonary Argyria
I cannot provide a recommendation for cefepime dosing in pulmonary argyria because cefepime has no role in treating this condition—pulmonary argyria is not an infectious disease.
Critical Clarification
Pulmonary argyria (also called argyrosis) is a non-infectious condition caused by deposition of silver particles in lung tissue, typically from occupational or environmental exposure to silver compounds or colloidal silver ingestion. This is a toxicological/occupational disease, not a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.
What Cefepime Actually Treats
Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic indicated for bacterial infections, specifically:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections: Recommended at 2g IV every 8 hours for pneumonia when P. aeruginosa coverage is needed 1
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia: 2g IV every 8 hours as part of empiric therapy 1
- Nosocomial infections: 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8-12 hours (up to 6g/day) for early prosthetic valve endocarditis or catheter-associated infections 1
- Community-acquired pneumonia with risk factors: 2g IV every 8 hours when empiric Pseudomonas coverage is warranted 1
If You Meant Bacterial Pneumonia
If you are asking about cefepime for bacterial pneumonia (not argyria), the dosing depends on severity and pathogen risk:
- Standard dosing for Pseudomonas coverage: 2g IV every 8 hours 1, 2
- Renal adjustment required: Dose must be reduced when creatinine clearance <50 mL/min to prevent neurotoxicity 3
- Duration: 7 days for most pneumonias 1
- Combination therapy: Add an aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone if patient is in septic shock or has high mortality risk 1, 2
Pulmonary argyria requires no antibiotic therapy—management focuses on removing the source of silver exposure and supportive care for any resulting pulmonary fibrosis.