cefdinir

Generic Name: cefdinir (SEF dih neer)Brand Names: Omnicef, Omnicef Omni-Pac

What is cefdinir?

Cefdinir is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cefdinir is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cefdinir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about cefdinir?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefdinir, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, and others.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or a history of intestinal problems.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefdinir will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cefdinir?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefdinir or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Raniclor);

• cefadroxil (Duricef);

• cefazolin (Ancef);

• cefditoren (Spectracef);

• cefpodoxime (Vantin);

• cefprozil (Cefzil);

• ceftibuten (Cedax);

• cefuroxime (Ceftin);

• cephalexin (Keflex); or

• cephradine (Velosef); and others.

Before taking cefdinir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

• a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cefdinir.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cefdinir may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The cefdinir suspension (liquid) contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefdinir if you have diabetes.

How should I take cefdinir?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take this medication with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefdinir.

Take cefdinir for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefdinir will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Store the capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Store cefdinir oral liquid in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any unused medication that is older than 14 days.

See also: Cefdinir dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking cefdinir?

Avoid using antacids or mineral supplements that contain iron within 2 hours before or after taking cefdinir. Antacids or iron can make it harder for your body to absorb cefdinir.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Cefdinir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• chest pain;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• unusual bleeding;

• seizure (convulsions);

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

• increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• constipation, loss of appetite, bloating, gas, upset stomach;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, mild diarrhea;

• headache, dizziness;

• stiff or tight muscles;

• feeling restless or hyperactive;

• dry mouth;

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefdinir;

• mild itching or skin rash; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Cefdinir Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Community acquired: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis:

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:

Acute maxillary sinusitis: 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

Uncomplicated: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:

Community acquired:13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchitis:

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis:13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media:

Acute bacterial otitis media:6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 daysMaximum dose: 600 mg/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 daysMaximum dose: 600 mg/day13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinusitis:

Acute maxillary sinusitis:6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 daysMaximum dose: 600 mg/day13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

Uncomplicated:6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 daysMaximum dose: 600 mg/day13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

What other drugs will affect cefdinir?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• probenecid (Benemid); or

• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cefdinir. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefdinir.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:43:05 PM.