Cefepime-induced Encephalopathy with Triphasic Waves in Three Asian Patients

Cefasporins such as cefepime are beta-lactam antibiotics with a broad antimicrobial spectrum. They are commonly used as first-line agents in the treatment of many infections.1 Reversible encephalopathy is a known neurotoxic complication of cefalosporins.2 Previous case reports have documented triphasic waves on electroencephalography (EEG) in cephalosporin-induced encephalopathy.1-4 Cefalosporin-induced encephalopathy with triphasic waves has not been previously reported among Asians. We report 3 Asian patients with toxic encephalopathy and documented triphasic waves on EEG while on treatment with cefepime.