Cefdinir

Cefdinir is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections such as Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Respiratory Tract Infection, Acute Maxillary Sinusitis, and Skin/Skin Structure Infections. 

• Cefdinir is available under the following different brand names: Omnicef

Adult and pediatric dosage

Capsules

• 300mg

Oral suspension

• 125mg/5mL
• 250mg/5mL

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Adult dosage

• 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Respiratory Tract Infections

Adult dosage

• 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days

Acute Maxillary Sinusitis

Adult dosage

• 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 6 months of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 6 months-12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
• Children older than 12 years or weighing over 43 kgs: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Skin/Skin Structure Infections

Adult dosage

• 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 6 months of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 6 months-12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days 
• Children older than 12 years or weighing over 43 kgs: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Acute Bacterial Otitis Media

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 6 months of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 6 months-12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
• Children older than 12 years or weighing over 43 kgs: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 6 months of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 6 months-12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
• Children older than 12 years or weighing over 43 kgs: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See "Dosages."

Common side effects of Cefdinir include:

• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• stomach pain, 
• diarrhea, 
• vaginal itching or discharge, 
• headache, and 
• rash (including diaper rash in an infant taking liquid Cefdinir)

Serious side effects of Cefdinir include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
• fever, 
• sore throat, 
• burning eyes, 
• skin pain, 
• red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling, 
• severe stomach pain, 
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after the last dose), 
• chills, 
• body aches, 
• flu symptoms, 
• pale skin, 
• easy bruising, 
• unusual bleeding, 
• seizure, 
• weakness, 
• confusion, 
• dark colored urine, 
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), 
• little or no urination, 
• swelling in the feet or ankles, 
• tiredness, and 
• shortness of breath

Rare side effects of Cefdinir include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first

• Cefdinir has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Cefdinir has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • argatroban
  • BCG vaccine live
  • bivalirudin
  • cholera vaccine
  • dalteparin
  • enoxaparin
  • fondaparinux
  • heparin
  • warfarin
• Cefdinir has moderate interactions with at least 25 other drugs.
• Cefdinir has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • cefpirome
  • chloramphenicol
  • choline magnesium trisalicylate
  • furosemide
  • ibuprofen
  • rose hips
  • willow bark

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefdinir?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefdinir?”

Cautions

• Note differences between twice-daily and once-daily dosing regimens
• Use with caution in patients with history of penicillin allergy; if allergic reaction to Cefdinir occurs, discontinue therapy
• Dosage adjustments may be necessary if CrCl is less than 30 mL/min
• Bacterial or fungal overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms may occur with prolonged or repeated therapy
• Use caution in patients with history of colitis
• Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum interfere with absorption of Cefdinir; if this required during therapy, administer at least 2 hr before or after antacid
• Iron supplements, including multivitamins that contain iron, interfere with absorption of Cefdinir; if iron supplements required administer at least 2 hours before or after supplement

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use during pregnancy may be acceptable.
• Unknown whether the drug is excreted in milk.