Cefdinir oral forms: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

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Cefdinir oral forms are used to treat certain bacterial infections. Learn about side effects, dosage, uses, and more.

Cefdinir is a generic prescription medication used to treat certain bacterial infections.

Specifically, cefdinir is used in adults and children ages 6 months and older to treat:

  • acute maxillary sinusitis (a type of sinus infection)
  • pharyngitis (sore throat) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes infection(this throat infection is also called strep throat)
  • tonsillitis (tonsil infection) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
  • uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections

Cefdinir is also used in adults and children ages 13 years and older to treat:

  • community-acquired pneumonia (a type of lung infection not contracted in hospital)
  • acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (sudden flare-ups of ongoing bronchitis, caused by a lung infection)

In children ages 6 months to 12 years, cefdinir is also used to treat otitis media (middle ear infection).

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for these infections if they’re proven or strongly suspected to be caused by certain bacteria. To identify the cause of the infection, your doctor may take a sample from the infected area and send it to a lab for identification. This helps your doctor to prescribe the right treatment for your infection.

Cefdinir will not work to treat infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.

Drug details

Cefdinir is an antibiotic drug. It belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins.

Cefdinir comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • oral capsule: 300 milligrams (mg)
  • oral liquid suspension: 125 mg per 5 milliliters (mL) and 250 mg/5 mL

Brand-name version

Cefdinir used to be available as the brand-name version Omnicef. However, this has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Cefdinir is only available as the generic version.

Cefdinir is a generic drug. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Omnicef is the brand-name medication that cefdinir is based on. However, Omnicef has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available. A generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To learn more about how generics compare with brand-name drugs, see this article.

Cefdinir can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking cefdinir. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of cefdinir, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with cefdinir, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of cefdinir. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view the prescribing information for the capsules or liquid suspension.

Mild side effects of cefdinir can include:

  • diarrhea
  • nausea and vomiting
  • headache
  • abdominal pain
  • indigestion
  • flatulence
  • rash, including diaper rash in young children
  • yeast infections, such as vaginal thrush
  • vaginal itching or discharge
  • mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and cefdinir, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from cefdinir aren’t common. However, they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include:

  • diarrhea caused by bowel infection with the bacteria Clostridioides difficile
  • severe allergic reaction*

* For details about allergic reaction and cefdinir, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Side effects in children

Doctors may prescribe cefdinir for children ages 6 months and older.

Cefdinir’s side effects in children are similar to those seen in adults taking the drug. Examples of these are listed above. However, some side effects may be more common in younger children.

In clinical trials of cefdinir, diarrhea and rash were reported more frequently in children under 2 years old than in older children and adults.

If you’re concerned about cefdinir’s side effects on your child, talk with their doctor.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking cefdinir. This was a rare side effect in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare. However, it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to cefdinir, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The cefdinir dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking cefdinir to treat
  • your age
  • the form of cefdinir you take
  • other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Be sure to complete the full course of treatment your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms get better. Stopping treatment early can result in the infection coming back. It can also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to the antibiotic. This means the antibiotic will be less effective at treating the infection.

Dosage for sinus infection in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a sinus infection.

Dosage for strep throat in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for strep throat.

Dosage for skin infection in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a skin infection.

Dosage for chronic bronchitis flare-up caused by lung infection in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a chronic bronchitis flare-up caused by a lung infection.

Dosage for tonsil infection in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a tonsil infection.

Dosage for pneumonia in adults

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for pneumonia.

Pediatric dosage

Cefdinir is approved to treat certain infections in children ages 6 months and older.

For children ages 13 years and older, cefdinir is approved to treat the same infections as in adults. For this age group, the dosing is also the same. Please see the above dosage sections for adults for additional information.

In children ages 6 months to 12 years, cefdinir is approved to treat ear infections, sinus infections, strep throat, tonsil infections, and skin infections.

For these infections in this age group, dosing is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). (For reference, 1 kg is approximately 2.2 pounds [lb].) See below for details.

Dosage for ear infection in children

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for an ear infection.

Your pharmacist will explain how much oral liquid suspension to give based on the dosage and strength of oral liquid suspension prescribed. You’ll likely need to measure the required dose using an oral syringe.

Dosage for sinus infection in children

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a sinus infection.

Your pharmacist will explain how much oral liquid suspension to give based on the dosage and strength of oral liquid suspension prescribed. You’ll likely need to measure the required dose using an oral syringe.

Dosage for strep throat in children

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for strep throat.

Your pharmacist will explain how much oral liquid suspension to give based on the dosage and strength of oral liquid suspension prescribed. You’ll likely need to measure the required dose using an oral syringe.

Dosage for skin infection in children

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a skin infection.

Your pharmacist will explain how much oral liquid suspension to give based on the dosage and strength of oral liquid suspension prescribed. You’ll likely need to measure the required dose using an oral syringe.

Dosage for tonsil infection in children

Here’s the cefdinir dosage information for a tonsil infection.

Your pharmacist will explain how much oral liquid suspension to give based on the dosage and strength of oral liquid suspension prescribed. You’ll likely need to measure the required dose using an oral syringe.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and just take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses together to make up for missing a dose.

Try to avoid missing doses, because doing so can make the treatment less effective. It can also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to the antibiotic. This means the bacteria may become less treatable with cefdinir or other antibiotics in future.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

No, cefdinir is meant to be taken short term. Your doctor may prescribe a 5-day or 10-day course of treatment.

Do not take cefdinir for longer than your doctor prescribes. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects. It could also lead to increased growth of other microorganisms (germs), such as fungi, which can’t be treated with cefdinir.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cefdinir to treat certain conditions. Cefdinir may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Cefdinir for ear infection

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children ages 6 months to 12 years.

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for otitis media that’s proven or strongly suspected to be caused by the following types of bacteria:

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Ear infection explained

With acute otitis media, you have inflammation behind your eardrum due to a viral or bacterial infection.

Acute otitis media is very common in young children. It often occurs after an infection, such as a cold, which can cause a buildup of fluid in the middle ear. Bacteria or viruses can grow in this fluid and cause an infection. (Cefdinir only works to treat infections caused by certain bacteria.)

Symptoms of acute otitis media can include:

  • ear pain
  • a feeling of ear fullness
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • trouble hearing
  • trouble sleeping
  • fluid discharge from the ear

Cefdinir treats acute otitis media by killing the bacteria causing the ear infection.

Cefdinir for sinus infection

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat acute maxillary sinusitis, which is a type of sinus infection. It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 6 months and older.

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for sinus infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by the following types of bacteria:

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a mucus sample. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the sinus infection.

Sinus infection explained

A sinus infection is an infection in your paranasal sinuses. These are hollow cavities found in the bones around your nose. There are four paranasal sinuses, and the maxillary sinus is the largest. It’s found in your cheekbones.

The paranasal sinuses lead into your nasal cavity. They produce mucus to keep your nasal passages moist and help trap germs.

If you have a buildup of mucus in your paranasal sinuses, this can allow bacteria or viruses to grow, which can lead to sinus infection. The infection can cause acute sinusitis, which is short-term inflammation in your sinuses.

Cefdinir only works for infections caused by certain bacteria. It won’t work for infections caused by viruses.

Symptoms of acute maxillary sinusitis can include:

  • a blocked or runny nose
  • nasal discharge that may be green or yellow
  • pain or pressure behind the cheekbones
  • toothache
  • fever

Cefdinir treats acute maxillary sinusitis by killing the bacteria causing the sinus infection.

Cefdinir for strep throat

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat pharyngitis (sore throat) caused by throat infection with Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. This type of bacteria is also called group A streptococcus, or strep A. This specific throat infection is commonly known as strep throat.

Cefdinir is approved for this use in adults and children ages 6 months and older.

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a swab from your throat. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the throat infection.

Strep throat explained

With strep throat, you have inflammation in your throat caused by infection with strep A bacteria. Cefdinir only works for throat infections caused by strep A bacteria. It won’t work for throat infections caused by other types of bacteria or viruses.

Strep throat is a highly contagious infection. You can catch it by breathing in respiratory droplets produced when someone with the infection talks, coughs, or sneezes. You can also catch it by touching surfaces touched by someone with the infection and then touching your mouth.

Symptoms of strep throat can include:

  • sore throat that comes on suddenly
  • pain when swallowing
  • swollen lymph glands in the neck
  • fever

Cefdinir treats strep throat by killing the bacteria causing the throat infection.

Cefdinir for skin infection

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat uncomplicated infections of the skin and skin structure (tissues under the skin). It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 6 months and older.

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for skin infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by the following types of bacteria:

  • Staphylococcus aureus (staph)
  • Streptococcus pyogenes (strep A)

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a swab from the infected area of skin. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the infection. Cefdinir won’t work for skin infections caused by viruses or fungi.

Skin infection explained

Staph and strep A bacteria can live on healthy skin. However, they may cause infections if they get into the outer layers of skin or the tissues under the skin. This can happen if the skin is broken, for example, by an injury, or by scratching an insect bite or eczema. It can also happen if a large number of bacteria grow on healthy, intact skin.

Examples of bacterial skin infections include:

  • impetigo
  • erysipelas
  • cellulitis
  • boils

Symptoms of these skin infections can include:

  • a hard, painful bump similar to a pimple on the skin
  • a discolored, swollen area of skin that may be hot and sore
  • sores or blisters that may ooze or break open and leak clear fluid or pus
  • fever
  • swollen lymph glands

Cefdinir treats skin infections by killing the bacteria causing the infection.

Cefdinir for flare-ups caused by lung infection

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat acute exacerbations (sudden flare-ups) of chronic bronchitis caused by a lung infection in adults and children ages 13 years and older.

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for flare-ups that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by the following types of bacteria:

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Haemophilus parainfluenzae
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a sputum sample. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the lung infection.

Flare-up caused by lung infection explained

Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s a long-term lung condition that’s typically caused by smoking.

With chronic bronchitis, the airways in your lungs are inflamed, narrowed, and produce large amounts of mucus. The mucus can be hard to clear from your lungs, and this can raise your risk of lung infections.

If you get a lung infection, it can make symptoms of chronic bronchitis worse. This is called a flare-up.

Symptoms of a flare-up of chronic bronchitis caused by a lung infection can include new or worsening:

  • wheezing
  • breathlessness
  • cough
  • chest tightness

Cefdinir treats flare-ups of chronic bronchitis by killing the bacteria causing the lung infection. Cefdinir only works for infections caused by certain bacteria. It won’t work for infections caused by viruses.

Cefdinir for tonsil infection

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat tonsillitis (tonsil infection) caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. This type of bacteria is also called group A streptococcus, or strep A.

Cefdinir is approved for this use in adults and children ages 6 months and older.

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a swab from your tonsils. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the tonsil infection.

Tonsil infection explained

With tonsillitis, you have inflamed tonsils caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Cefdinir only works to treat tonsillitis caused by strep A bacteria.

Symptoms of tonsillitis can include:

  • a sore throat
  • pain when swallowing
  • red and swollen tonsils with white or pus-filled spots
  • fever
  • swollen lymph glands in the neck
  • pain in the ears and neck
  • trouble sleeping
  • tiredness

Cefdinir treats tonsillitis by killing the bacteria causing the infection.

Cefdinir for pneumonia

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat community-acquired pneumonia (a type of lung infection not contracted in hospital) in adults and children ages 13 years and older.

Typically, doctors will only prescribe cefdinir for pneumonia that’s proven or strongly suspected to be caused by the following types of bacteria:

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Haemophilus parainfluenzae
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Before prescribing cefdinir, your doctor may take a sputum sample. They’ll send this to a lab to identify the cause of the pneumonia.

Pneumonia explained

With pneumonia, you have inflammation in one or both lungs caused by a lung infection. Cefdinir only works for infections caused by certain bacteria. It won’t work for infections caused by viruses.

Symptoms of pneumonia can include:

  • cough
  • coughing up thick sputum (phlegm or mucus) that’s yellow, green, or contains blood
  • chest pain
  • trouble breathing
  • fever
  • fast heart rate

Cefdinir treats pneumonia by killing the bacteria causing the infection.

Cefdinir and children

Cefdinir is FDA-approved to treat the following bacterial infections in children ages 6 months and older:

  • acute maxillary sinusitis (a type of sinus infection)
  • pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat)
  • tonsillitis (tonsil infection) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
  • uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections

Cefdinir is also FDA-approved to treat acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children ages 6 months to 12 years.

The drug is also used in children ages 13 years and older to treat:

  • community-acquired pneumonia (a type of lung infection not contracted in hospital)
  • acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (sudden flare-ups of ongoing bronchitis, caused by a lung infection)

These uses are described in more detail just above.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cefdinir.

How does cefdinir compare with other similar drugs, such as amoxicillin?

Cefdinir belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. Another example of a cephalosporin is cephalexin.

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) belongs to another class of antibiotics called penicillins. Another example of a penicillin is Augmentin, which contains amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

Doctors prescribe both these types of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Both are broad-spectrum antibiotics, which means they can kill several different types of bacteria. However, cephalosporins can kill certain bacteria that have developed resistance to penicillins. This means they may be more effective at treating certain infections than penicillins.

The effectiveness of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Before prescribing an antibiotic, your doctor may take a sample from the infected area and send it to a lab for identification. This helps them to prescribe the most suitable treatment for the infection.

Note that no antibiotics will work to treat infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.

Are the side effects of cefdinir 300 mg oral capsule different than those of cefdinir oral liquid suspension?

No, they’re not. Cefdinir can cause the same side effects whether it’s taken in capsule or liquid suspension form.

If you’re concerned about the risk of side effects with cefdinir, talk with your doctor.

Is cefdinir a ‘sulfa drug’?

No, cefdinir is not a “sulfa drug.” Sulfonamides, or “sulfa drugs,” are a drug class that has a similar chemical structure. These drugs have various different uses, and some are antibiotics. Examples of sulfa antibiotics include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Septra, Bactrim).

Due to their similar structure, if you have an allergic reaction to one sulfa drug, you may also have an allergic reaction to other sulfa drugs.

However, cefdinir is not a sulfa antibiotic. Instead, it belongs to a different class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. If you’re allergic to sulfa drugs, you should be able to safely take cefdinir.

Note that if you’re allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, taking cefdinir could cause an allergic reaction. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any allergies you have before taking cefdinir.

Will older adults experience different side effects of cefdinir than younger adults?

No, not typically. Cefdinir can cause the same side effects in younger and older adults. And in clinical trials, cefdinir side effects were less common in older adults than younger adults.

However, some older adults (ages 65 years and over) may have a raised risk of side effects from cefdinir. That’s because as you get older, your kidney function may start to decline.

Cefdinir is removed from your body by your kidneys. If your kidneys don’t work well, cefdinir could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of cefdinir side effects. So older adults with kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, may have a raised risk of side effects with cefdinir.

If you’re age 65 years or older, your doctor may assess your kidney function before prescribing cefdinir. If you have reduced kidney function, they may prescribe a cefdinir dosage that’s lower than is typical. This helps reduce the risk of side effects from the drug.

Can cefdinir cause behavioral side effects?

Cefdinir doesn’t typically cause behavioral side effects. However, in clinical trials, hyperkinesia was rarely reported in some children who took cefdinir. Hyperkinesia in children refers to restlessness or extremely active behavior.

If you’re concerned about behavioral side effects in a child taking cefdinir, talk with your doctor.

Does cefdinir make you sleepy?

No, cefdinir shouldn’t make you sleepy. Sleepiness wasn’t reported by people who took cefdinir in clinical trials. And it hasn’t been reported with this medication since it’s been on the market.

Note that being unwell with an infection can cause tiredness or sleepiness, especially in children. If you feel sleepy while taking cefdinir to treat an infection, it’s best to rest. This can help your body fight the infection.

Cefdinir can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Cefdinir oral forms precautions” section below.

Cefdinir and other medications

Before taking cefdinir, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Below is a table of medications that can interact with cefdinir. This table does not contain all drugs that may interact with cefdinir.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with more information about the interactions between these medications and cefdinir. If you have questions about any drug interactions that may affect you, your doctor or pharmacist can also address those.

Other interactions

Other types of interactions, such as those with herbs, supplements, foods, lab tests, and vaccines, may also occur with cefdinir. The following table lists some of these interactions.

Your doctor can provide you with details about these interactions with cefdinir.

Cefdinir is not known to interact with alcohol. However, if you have certain side effects from cefdinir, drinking alcohol could make them worse. Examples of these side effects include nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and headache.

Additionally, if you feel unwell with an infection, it may be best to avoid or limit your alcohol consumption.

If you want to drink alcohol while taking cefdinir, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to consume.

When you get cefdinir from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. For the capsules, this date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. For the liquid suspension, this date is typically 10 days from the date the pharmacist makes up the liquid suspension.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to take it.

Storage

How long a medication remains safe to take can depend on many factors, including how and where you store it.

Cefdinir does not need to be refrigerated. The capsules and liquid suspension should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed container. The capsules should be stored away from light. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take cefdinir and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Here’s some information about taking cefdinir during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Cefdinir and pregnancy

It’s not known whether cefdinir is safe to take during pregnancy. The drug hasn’t been clinically trialed in people who are pregnant. In animal studies, cefdinir didn’t cause fetal harm when given to pregnant animals. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in people.

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of taking cefdinir.

Cefdinir and breastfeeding

Cefdinir isn’t known to pass into breast milk. Doctors generally consider it safe to breastfeed while taking a course of this antibiotic.

However, as with all medications, check with your doctor before breastfeeding while taking cefdinir.

Cefdinir and birth control

It’s not known whether cefdinir is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking cefdinir.

Cefdinir doesn’t interact with birth control. However, it can sometimes cause diarrhea or vomiting that could affect oral birth control pills. Diarrhea and vomiting can stop birth control pills from being absorbed correctly, and this can make them less effective.

If you take a birth control pill with cefdinir, follow the instructions in the leaflet provided with your pill if you have diarrhea or vomiting.

Taking more than the recommended dosage of cefdinir can lead to serious side effects. Do not take more cefdinir than your doctor recommends. (For information on the recommended dosages of cefdinir, see the “Cefdinir oral forms dosage” section above.)

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose may include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • seizure

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

You should take cefdinir according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Cefdinir oral capsule should be swallowed with a drink.

Cefdinir oral liquid suspension should be administered inside the child’s cheek using the oral syringe provided with the medication.

Be sure to complete the full course of treatment your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms get better. Stopping treatment early can result in the infection coming back. It can also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to the antibiotic. This means cefdinir and other antibiotics may be less effective at treating the infection in the future.

When to take

Your doctor may prescribe cefdinir to be taken once or twice a day. Take your dose at the same time(s) each day. If you take cefdinir twice a day, take your doses 12 hours apart.

Taking the medication around the same time(s) of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps cefdinir work effectively.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist whether they can put cefdinir in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids.

Taking cefdinir with food

You can take cefdinir either with or without food.

Can cefdinir be crushed, split, or chewed?

Cefdinir capsules are meant to be swallowed whole. You should not crush, chew, or split them. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of cefdinir can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for cefdinir, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need prior authorization for cefdinir, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

Financial assistance to help you pay for cefdinir may be available.

Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites offering resources that may help decrease the price you pay for cefdinir. They also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare, as well as educational resources. To learn more, visit their sites.

Mail-order pharmacies

Cefdinir may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

This drug comes with several precautions. These are considered drug-condition interactions.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors pertain to you, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking cefdinir.

  • if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
  • if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding
  • if you’ve had an allergic reaction to cefdinir or any ingredients of the capsules or liquid suspension
  • if you’ve had an allergic reaction to other cephalosporin or penicillin-type antibiotics
  • if you have a history of colitis (inflammation in your large intestine)
  • if you have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of cefdinir, see the “Cefdinir oral forms side effects” section above.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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