# Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Generic and Brand-Name Cefepime: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

## TL;DR

This study found that generic and brand-name cefepime are equally effective and safe for treating infections in real-world settings.

## Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence of the equivalence of generic and brand-name cefepime in clinical outcomes.

## Key findings

- No significant differences were found in mortality or other clinical outcomes between generic and brand-name cefepime.
- Biomarker trends and recovery patterns were similar across both groups.
- Dosage levels did not affect outcomes differently in either group.

## Abstract

The clinical effectiveness of generic and brand-name cefepime in real-world settings remains unclear. Given the potential implications for healthcare costs and patient outcomes, this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of these two formulations. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study (2017–2022), enrolling adults who received either generic or brand-name cefepime as initial monotherapy for at least three consecutive days. Demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, infection sites, cefepime dosage, and serial laboratory data were analyzed. Propensity score matching was employed to adjust key confounding variables. A total of 2370 patients were included, 877 receiving generic and 1493 receiving brand-name cefepime. After matching, no significant differences were observed in primary (in-hospital mortality, p = 0.841) or secondary outcomes (30-day mortality, readmission, length of stay, ICU stay, and incidence of seizures; all p > 0.05). Biomarker trends and clinical recovery patterns were comparable across groups. Receiving the maximal dosage or not did not alter outcomes among both groups. Generic cefepime showed comparable efficacy and safety to brand-name cefepime, offering a cost-effective alternative without compromising therapeutic outcomes.