Drug interactions
Cefepime + Kanamycin
Severity: Moderate
Cefepime and Kanamycin: 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 drugs are cleared by the kidney, and aminoglycosides are well known for kidney and inner-ear toxicity. Cefepime on top of kanamycin may add to renal stress, and reduced renal function in turn raises aminoglycoside levels and the risk of ototoxicity. Cefepime itself can accumulate and cause neurotoxicity when kidney function falls.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefepime and Kanamycin 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.
Why it happens
Additive potential nephrotoxicity, with reduced renal clearance of both agents if kidney injury develops.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and urine output regularly and adjust cefepime dose to renal function. Check kanamycin levels where available and watch for hearing or balance 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
- Amikacin + Cefepime Moderate
- Cefepime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefepime + Dexamethasone-tobramycin Moderate
- Cefepime + Gentamicin Moderate
- Cefepime + Microbiota Moderate
- Cefepime + Plazomicin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefepime with Kanamycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefepime and Kanamycin 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 drugs are cleared by the kidney, and aminoglycosides are well known for kidney and inner-ear toxicity. Cefepime on top of kanamycin may add to renal stress, and reduced renal function in turn raises aminoglycoside levels and the risk of ototoxicity. Cefepime itself can accumulate and cause neurotoxicity when kidney function falls.
How serious is the interaction between Cefepime and Kanamycin?
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 urine output regularly and adjust cefepime dose to renal function. Check kanamycin levels where available and watch for hearing or balance changes.
What other medicines interact with Cefepime?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefepime with, for example, Amikacin, Cholera vaccine, Dexamethasone-tobramycin. The full list is on the Cefepime page.
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