Drug interactions
Amikacin + Cefepime
Severity: Moderate
Amikacin and Cefepime: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both are given intravenously and both can affect the kidney, and amikacin also carries ototoxicity risk. Cefepime is not strongly nephrotoxic, but accumulation of cefepime in renal impairment raises neurotoxicity risk, and amikacin toxicity also rises when renal function declines.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amikacin and Cefepime can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amikacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Cefepime belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Possible additive renal effects; both drugs are renally cleared, so declining renal function raises exposure to each.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and amikacin levels, and adjust the doses of both drugs to renal function. Watch for confusion or myoclonus from cefepime accumulation and for hearing changes.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cefepime
- Cefepime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefepime + Dexamethasone-tobramycin Moderate
- Cefepime + Gentamicin Moderate
- Cefepime + Kanamycin Moderate
- Cefepime + Microbiota Moderate
- Cefepime + Plazomicin Moderate
Other interactions of Amikacin
- Amikacin + Cidofovir Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Amikacin Major
- Amikacin + Amphotericin b Major
- Amikacin + Amphotericin b deoxycholate Major
- Amikacin + Atracurium Major
- Amikacin + Bacitracin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amikacin with Cefepime?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amikacin and Cefepime can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both are given intravenously and both can affect the kidney, and amikacin also carries ototoxicity risk. Cefepime is not strongly nephrotoxic, but accumulation of cefepime in renal impairment raises neurotoxicity risk, and amikacin toxicity also rises when renal function declines.
How serious is the interaction between Amikacin and Cefepime?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine and amikacin levels, and adjust the doses of both drugs to renal function. Watch for confusion or myoclonus from cefepime accumulation and for hearing changes.
What other medicines interact with Cefepime?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefepime with, for example, Cholera vaccine, Dexamethasone-tobramycin, Gentamicin. The full list is on the Cefepime page.
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