Cefdinir
Description
Cefdinir is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including skin infections, throat infections, respiratory infections, etc. This medicine is not recommended for use in case of a common cold, flu, or other viral infections since it is active against the infections caused by certain bacterial species only. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 6 months of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cefdinir
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Rash
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Difficult or painful urination
- Black or Tarry stools
Uses of Cefdinir
What is it prescribed for?
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Tonsilitis/Pharyngitis
- Skin and Skin Structure Infection
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 4 hours of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to cefdinir, any other beta-lactam antibiotics, or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
General warnings
Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea
Antibiotic therapy will cause an imbalance in the normal microbial flora of the large intestine, which may promote the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile and you may experience severe diarrhea as a result. Report any such incidence to the doctor on priority and avoid usage of this medicine in such cases.
Kidney diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of an impaired kidney function due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Drug resistance
Usage of this medicine without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that are drug resistant.
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 6 months of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Aluminium Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide
Cholera Vaccine
Anticoagulants
Probenecid
Iron supplements
Disease interactions
Gastrointestinal Diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Urine Ketones test
Report the use of this medicine to the doctor if you are undergoing a urine ketones test. A false positive result may be obtained if this test is performed using nitroprusside during treatment with this medicine. Usage of other reagents may be necessary to avoid a false-positive result. Do not stop the use of any medicine without consulting your doctor.
Take this medicine with or without food. Do not take/administer in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by interfering with certain processes that help the bacteria to grow and increase in number.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Third generation cephalosporins
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 24 July 2018]. Available from:
Cefdinir - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 24 July 2018]. Available from:
Cefdinir: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 24 July 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Jul 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.