Cefdinir

Generic name: Cefdinir
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Usage of Cefdinir

Cefdinir is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

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

Cefdinir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Cefdinir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

seizure (convulsions);

fever, weakness, confusion;

dark colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of cefdinir may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

vaginal itching or discharge;

headache; or

rash (including diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefdinir.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Cefdinir

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefdinir or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefadroxil, Cefprozil, cefazolin, cefalexin, Keflex, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

intestinal problems, such as colitis; or

an allergy to any drugs (especially penicillins).

Cefdinir liquid contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefdinir if you have diabetes.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Cefdinir

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

Warnings

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

What other drugs will affect Cefdinir

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

probenecid; or

vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect cefdinir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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