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.

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

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medicine guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may take cefdinir with or without food.

Use cefdinir for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Cefdinir will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Cefdinir can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefdinir.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused cefdinir liquid that is older than 10 days.

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 days
Maximum 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 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

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 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 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

13 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 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

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.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or a seizure.

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. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Talk to your doctor about eating foods that have had iron added to them, such as iron fortified breakfast cereal, while taking this medication. However, babies may be fed iron fortified infant formula while they are taking this medication.

Avoid using antacids or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, magnesium, or iron within 2 hours before or after taking cefdinir. Antacids or iron can make it harder for your body to absorb cefdinir. This does not include baby formula fortified with iron.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

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.

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.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to cefdinir.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking cefdinir.

If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (but not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication. If you test your urine for ketones, you should know that cefdinir may interfere with the results of this type of test. Talk to your doctor about how you should monitor your diabetes while you are taking cefdinir.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable..

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.