Antimicrobial Coverage of Levofloxacin and Cefepime

Key Differences in Antimicrobial Coverage

• The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends levofloxacin as an equivalent alternative to cefepime for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) coverage in hospital-acquired pneumonia guidelines, with levofloxacin demonstrating better clinical efficacy in some studies 1, 2
• For hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) when MRSA is not suspected, both antibiotics are recommended as empiric options, with levofloxacin being preferred for patients with severe penicillin allergy who cannot receive β-lactams 1, 3, 2, 4
• Local antibiograms should guide therapy as resistance patterns vary geographically, with fluoroquinolone resistance increasing in many regions, potentially limiting levofloxacin's utility 3