Widely Used Antibiotic Raises Adult Mortality Risk, Research Shows

WHO:

NY Post - Researchers conducted the study.

Yahoo - The study involved over 22,000 patients.

Fox News - Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, commented on the study.

WHAT:

Yahoo - The association appeared stronger in adults than in children, and was most pronounced among patients treated for febrile neutropenia.

Fox News - The study had several limitations, including combining clinical trials that differed in design, patient populations, dosing strategies, and comparison antibiotics, with some studies dating back decades.

Fox News - A closer review of the data suggests that both underdosing and overdosing may be more closely linked to poorer outcomes and a higher risk of death, indicating that appropriate dosing may be the key.

NY Post - The study found a 94.4% probability that cefepime was associated with higher all-cause mortality compared to other beta-lactam antibiotics.

Yahoo - Cefepime is linked to a higher risk of death in adults.

Yahoo - Across all trials, 778 deaths occurred among 11,726 patients (6.6%) given cefepime, compared to 6.2% of patients given another antibiotic.

Yahoo - The probability of cefepime being associated with higher mortality increased to 98.6% when limited to 73 peer-reviewed published trials.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Cefepime is typically administered in a clinical setting.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

WHY:

Yahoo - The researchers did not recommend discontinuing cefepime but called for additional guidance and research to better understand its safety.

Yahoo - Possible explanations for the observed association include drug levels that are too low to effectively treat the infection and neurotoxicity from high drug levels.

HOW:

Fox News - Researchers said finding the right dose of cefepime can be challenging, as higher doses may improve its ability to kill bacteria while also increasing the risk of toxic side effects.

Yahoo - The study used a Bayesian meta-analysis of 110 randomized clinical trials.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:03 UTC)

A recent study has revealed that the association between appropriate dosing of cefepime and patient outcomes appears stronger in adults than in children, particularly among those treated for febrile neutropenia. However, the study faced several limitations, including the combination of clinical trials with varying designs and patient populations, some of which date back decades. Researchers emphasized that both underdosing and overdosing may be linked to poorer outcomes and a higher risk of death, highlighting the challenge of finding the right dose that balances efficacy against potential toxic side effects.

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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 16:01 UTC)

A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found a 94.4% probability that cefepime is associated with higher all-cause mortality compared to other beta-lactam antibiotics, involving over 22,000 patients. Among those given cefepime, 6.6% experienced death, compared to 6.2% of patients treated with other antibiotics, and this probability increased to 98.6% when focusing on 73 peer-reviewed trials. While researchers did not recommend discontinuing cefepime, they are calling for further research to understand its safety, noting potential issues with drug levels and neurotoxicity.