Emerging and Established Methods for Cefepime Quantification: A Detailed Review

Cefepime (CFP, 4th generation cephalosporin) is a commonly used antibiotic that treats serious infections from bacteria. Accurate and reproducible measurements of cefepime is vital for quality control, pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring. This article discusses established methods and new emerging analytical techniques (such as chromatography, spectrophotometry, electrochemical analysis, and advanced methods such as hyphenated and sensor-based analyses) for quantitative analysis of cephalosporins, with respect to their sensitivity, reliability, affordability and general applicability. Researchers are now employing Quality by Design (QbD) and Design of Experiments (DoEs) approaches in order to assist in the development and validation of analytical procedures. The article will provide a brief reference guide to help analysts decide upon which analytical techniques deserve validation. It will highlight the promising nature of new technologies (e.g., nanotechnology-based sensors and environmentally friendly techniques) in enhancing detection capability, while also addressing environmental and sustainability impacts. It will also point out limitations of established methodologies and future directions of research for innovative analytical tools. Overall, this effort will assist researchers and practitioners in identifying successful methodologies for quantifying cefepime, thereby facilitating advancements in the analysis of antibiotics.