Cefdinir is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis (infection of the airway tubes leading to the lungs); pneumonia; and infections of the skin, ears, sinuses, throat, and tonsils.. Cefdinir is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.
Antibiotics such as cefdinir will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
How should this medicine be used?
Cefdinir comes as a capsule and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 12 or 24 hours for 5 to 10 days, depending on the condition being treated. Take cefdinir at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefdinir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefdinir. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Continue to take cefdinir even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefdinir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before taking cefdinir,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefdinir or any other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor , cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef) or cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefdinir capsules, or suspension. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention probenecid ( Probalan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
if you are taking antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, iron supplements, or multivitamins that contain iron, take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after cefdinir.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon
large intestine
), . or kidney disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefdinir, call your doctor.
If you have diabetes, you should know that cefdinir suspension solution contains sucrose (sugar).
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Cefdinir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
vomiting
nausea
stomach pain
diarrhea
headache
vaginal itching
reddish colored stools
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
rash
hives
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips or eyes
difficulty breathing or swallowing
watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules and suspension at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dispose of any unused suspension after 10 days.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
Drug Category/Class
Anti-Infective Agents
Third-Generation Cephalosporins
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cephalosporins
Antibacterials for Systemic Use
Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
Third-generation cephalosporins
Prescribed
For the treatment of the respiratory, skin, soft tissue, and ENT infections caused by H. influenzae (including b-lactamase producing strains...