Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: cefdinir
BRAND NAME: Omnicef
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Cefdinir
is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made) oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin
family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex),
cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef),
cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefixime
(Suprax), cefprozil (Cefzil) as well as many injectable antibiotics. Like other
cephalosporins, cefdinir stops bacteria from
multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them.
The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep
the contents of the bacterial cell
together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Cefdinir is active
against a very wide spectrum of bacteria, including
Staphylococcus aureus;
Streptococcus pneumoniae;
Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of strep throat);
Hemophilus influenzae; Moraxella catarrhalis;
E. coli; Klebsiella; and
Proteus
mirabilis. It is not active against Pseudomonas. Therapeutic uses of cefdinir
include otitis media (infections of the middle ear), infections of soft tissues,
and respiratory tract infections. The FDA approved cefdinir in December 1997.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 300 mg; oral suspension, 125 and 250 mg/5 mL
STORAGE: Cefdinir should be stored at room temperature, between 59-86
F (15-30 C). The suspension may be stored at room for up to 10 days after mixing.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Cefdinir is
effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of the middle ear
(otitis media), tonsils (tonsillitis), throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi
(bronchitis), lungs (pneumonia), skin and other
soft tissues.
DOSING: Cefdinir is taken once
or twice daily, depending on the nature and severity of the infection. The
capsules or suspension can be taken with or without food. Patients with advanced
kidney disease may need to take lower doses
to prevent accumulation of cefdinir since it is eliminated from the body by the
kidneys.
For adult infections the usual dose is 300 mg every 12 hours or 600 mg per
day for 5-10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection. The
recommended dose for children 6 months to 12 years of age is 7 mg/kg every 12
hours or 14 mg/kg per day for 5-10 days depending on the infection. For most
infections once daily dosing is as effective as twice daily dosing, though once
daily dosing has not been evaluated for the treatment of skin infections or
pneumonia.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Aluminum or magnesium containing
antacids reduce the absorption of cefdinir from the intestine. Separating the administration of
cefdinir and such antacids by two hours prevents this interaction.
Iron supplements also reduce the absorption of cefdinir.
Separating the administration of cefdinir and iron supplements by two hours
prevents this interaction. There have been reports of reddish stool in patients
who have received cefdinir. This could be due to the formation of a chemical
complex between cefdinir and iron in the stomach.
PREGNANCY: There are no
adequate studies of cefdinir in pregnant women;
however, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Cefdinir is
not secreted in breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: Cefdinir
generally is well tolerated. The most common side effects are diarrhea or loose
stools, nausea, abdominal pain,
vomiting, rash and headache. Rare side effects
include abnormal liver tests and allergic reactions. Cefdinir may cause false
test results with some tests for sugar in the urine. Like most antibiotics
cefdinir may cause a condition called pseudomembranous colitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection of the colon.
Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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