Cefdinir

Cefdinir is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Cefdinir belongs to a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. These work by killing the bacteria that cause infections.

This medication comes in oral capsule and suspension forms and is taken once or twice daily, with food or milk.

Common side effects of cefdinir include upset stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, and fatigue.

Cefdinir can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how cefdinir affects you.

Cefdinir is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and respiratory tract.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cefdinir may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Omnicef

• Omnicef Omni-Pac

Serious side effects have been reported with cefdinir. See the “Cefdinir Precautions” section.

Common side effects of cefdinir include the following:

• Stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Fatigue

This is not a complete list of cefdinir side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Probenecid (Benemid, Probalan)
• Vitamins
• Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium
• Iron supplements or iron-fortified foods

(Cefdinir can usually be taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after iron-containing products or antacids.)

This is not a complete list of cefdinir drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with cefdinir including the following:

Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Rash
• Hives
• Swelling of the faces, eyes, lips, tongue
• Swelling of the arms or legs

Cefdinir can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how cefdinir affects you.

Do not take cefdinir if you:

• are allergic to cefdinir or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to any other cephalosporin antibiotic

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of cefdinir, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking cefdinir, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to cefdinir or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had colitis
• have diabetes mellitus
• have kidney disease
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cefdinir falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with cefdinir. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and some babies had problems.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if cefdinir crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using cefdinir.

Take cefdinir exactly as prescribed.

Cefdinir comes in oral capsule and suspension forms and is taken once or twice daily.

Take with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of cefdinir at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

• The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:
• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• your weight
• your age

For adults, the recommended dose of cefdinir for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, acute maxillary sinusitis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections is 300 mg every 12 hours. For some patients with certain indications, a dose of 600 mg every 24 hours may be considered. The daily dose of cefdinir is 600 mg.

If you take too much cefdinir, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If cefdinir is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store cefdinir at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Take cefdinir 2 hours before or 2 hours after iron-containing products or antacids.