Cefepime-induced encephalopathy: clinical and electroencephalographic features in seven patients

Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, with large antibacterial spectrum, is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of serious hospital infections. Its security report is considered favourable. Recently, many cases of a severe and reversible cefepime-induced encephalopathy were described. In this paper, we report seven patients with reversible cefepime-induced encephalopathy, with a peculiar EEG pattern, characterized by semiperiodic diffuse triphasic waves. We discuss the EEG abnormalities found and their association with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.