Cefdinir Antibiotic Side Effects, Uses (Strep, Middle Ear) & Dosage

What is cefdinir?

Cefdinir is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made) oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes:

cephalexin (Keflex)
cefaclor (Ceclor)
cefuroxime (Zinacef)
cefpodoxime (Vantin)
cefixime (Suprax),
cefprozil (Cefzil)
Many injectable antibiotics

What brand names are available for cefdinir?

Omnicef brand has been discontinued and there are no other brand names
available for cefdinir available in the US

Is cefdinir available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for cefdinir?

Yes

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What are the uses for cedinir?

Cefdinir is effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of the:

Middle ear (otitis
media)
Tonsils (tonsillitis)
Throat (strep throat)
Larynx (laryngitis)
Sinuses (sinusitis)
Bronchi (bronchitis)
Lungs (pneumonia)
Skin and other soft tissues

Cefdinir is not active against Pseudomonas.

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What are the side effects of cefdinir?

Cefdinir generally is well tolerated. The most common side effects are:
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal moniliasis
- Vaginitis
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Headache
Rare side effects include:
- Abnormal
  liver
  tests
- Allergic
  reactions
- Abnormal stool
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
Cefdinir may cause false test results with some tests for
sugar in the urine.
Like most antibiotics, cefdinir may cause a condition called
pseudomembranous
colitis (Clostridium difficile colitis), a potentially serious bacterial infection of the
colon. Patients who develop signs of pseudomembranous colitis after starting cefdinir (diarrhea,
fever,
abdominal pain, and possibly
shock) should contact their
doctor immediately.
Persons who are allergic to the penicillin class of antibiotics, for example,
amoxicillin,
amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin), which are related to cephalosporins, may or may not be allergic to cephalosporins.

What is the dosage for cefdinir?

Cefdinir is taken once or twice daily, depending on the type and severity of the infection.
The capsules or suspension can be taken with or without food.
Patients with advanced
kidney disease may need to take lower doses to prevent accumulation of cefdinir since it is eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
For adult infections the usual dose is 300 mg every 12 hours or 600 mg per day for 5-10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
The recommended dose for children 6 months to 12 years of age is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg per day for 5-10 days depending on the type of infection.
For most infections, once daily dosing is as effective as twice daily dosing, although once daily dosing has not been evaluated for the treatment of skin infections or
pneumonia.

Which drugs or supplements interact with cefdinir?

Aluminum or magnesium containing antacids reduce the absorption of cefdinir from the intestine. Separating the administration of cefdinir and such antacids by two hours prevents this interaction.
Iron supplements also reduce the absorption of cefdinir. Separating the administration of cefdinir and iron
supplements by two hours prevents this interaction. There have been reports of
reddish stool in patients who have received cefdinir. This could be due to the formation of a chemical complex between cefdinir and iron in the stomach.

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Is cefdinir safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies of cefdinir in
pregnant women; however, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus.
Cefdinir is not secreted in
human milk.

What else should I know about cefdinir?

What preparations of cefdinir are available?

Capsules: 300 mg.
Oral suspension: 125 and 250 mg/5 mL

How should I keep cefdinir stored?

Cefdinir should be stored at room temperature, between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C).
The suspension may be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days after mixing.

How does cefdinir work?

Like other cephalosporins, cefdinir stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Cefdinir is active against a very wide spectrum of bacteria, including
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- Streptococcus pneumoniae;
- Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of
  strep throat);
- Hemophilus influenzae;
- Moraxella catarrhalis;
- E. coli;
- Klebsiella; and
- Proteus mirabilis.

Therapeutic uses of cefdinir include
otitis media (infections of the middle ear), infections of soft tissues, and respiratory tract infections.

When was cefdinir approved by the FDA?

The FDA approved cefdinir in December 1997.