Cefdinir
About
Cefdinir belongs to a class of medication called 'antibiotics' used to treat several bacterial infections of the urinary tract, bones and joints, heart, lungs, brain, chest, ears, skin or soft tissues. The bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria grows in the body and cause infection. It can infect any part of the body and multiple very quickly. Cefdinir does not work against infections caused by a virus such as flu or a common cold.
Cefdinir contains 'Cefdinir' a cephalosporin antibiotic that works by interfering with the formation of the bacterial cell wall (a protective covering) necessary for their survival. Thereby damages the bacterial cell wall and kills bacteria.
Take Cefdinir as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Cefdinir for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, rash, headache or vaginal itching or discharge. Most of these side effects of Cefdinir do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Cefdinir, cephalosporin antibiotics or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Cefdinir. Cefdinir is not recommended for babies below 6 months of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Drive only if you are alert as Cefdinir may cause dizziness. You are advised to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Cefdinir and antacids containing aluminium, magnesium, iron supplements and multivitamins containing iron. These may reduce the absorption of Cefdinir by the body.
Uses of Cefdinir
Medicinal Benefits
Cefdinir contains Cefdinir a cephalosporin antibiotic used in the treatment of several bacterial infections. Cefdinir is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that acts against both aerobic (grow in the presence of oxygen) and anaerobic (grow in the absence of oxygen) gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It interferes with the formation of the bacterial cell wall (a protective covering) that is necessary for their survival. Thereby damages the bacterial cell wall and kills bacteria.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cefdinir
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Headache
- Vaginal itching or discharge
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Cefdinir, cephalosporin antibiotics or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have kidney problems or inflammation of the large intestine, inform your doctor before taking Cefdinir. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before taking Cefdinir. Cefdinir is not recommended for babies below 6 months of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Drive only if you are alert as Cefdinir may cause dizziness. You are recommended to complete the full course of Cefdinir as prescribed by your doctor for effective results. Cefdinir may interact with specific tests such as glucose (sugar) in urine and coomb’s test, giving false-positive results. Therefore, inform your doctor that you are taking Cefdinir before undergoing any tests. You are advised to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Cefdinir and antacids containing aluminium, magnesium, iron supplements and multivitamins containing iron. These may reduce the absorption of Cefdinir by the body.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Cefdinir may interact with drugs used to lower high uric acid levels (probenecid).
Drug-Food Interaction: Cefdinir should be taken 2 hours before or after taking foods containing iron, antacids containing magnesium or aluminium, which may affect Cefdinir effectiveness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have kidney problems or inflammation of the large intestine, inform your doctor before taking Cefdinir.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Cefdinir with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Cefdinir.
Pregnancy
cautionCefdinir is a category B pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Cefdinir is excreted in human milk. Cefdinir is given to breastfeeding mothers if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionCefdinir may cause dizziness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel dizzy after taking Cefdinir.
Liver
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Cefdinir in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
cautionTake Cefdinir with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionCefdinir is not recommended for babies below 6 months of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take probiotics after completing the full course of Cefdinir to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- Certain fermented foods like cheese, yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi can help to restore the good bacteria of the intestine.
- Include fiber-rich foods, as they can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fiber-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains such as brown rice and whole-grain bread should be included in your diet.
- Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while you are taking Cefdinir.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase adverse effects.
Special Advise
If you are about to undergo any blood or urine tests, inform your doctor that you are taking Cefdinir as it may interfere with urine test (for sugar) and Coomb’s test (blood test).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: It is a condition in which harmful bacteria grows in the body and cause infection. It can target any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria come in three basic shapes, namely spherical, rod or spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have cell wall). Appropriate tests are done to identify bacterial strains, and based on the results, proper medication is prescribed. Some common symptoms of bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
FAQs
Cefdinir contains Cefdinir, an antibiotic that works by interfering with the formation of the bacterial cell wall (a protective covering) that is necessary for their survival. Thereby damages the bacterial cell wall and kills bacteria.
You are not recommended to take Cefdinir with probenecid (used to lower high uric acid levels) as it may increase the levels of Cefdinir in blood and increase the risk of adverse effects such as diarrhoea, kidney problems, vomiting and nausea. However, please consult your doctor before taking Cefdinir with other medicines.
Cefdinir may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect. However, if the condition persists, worsens or if you notice blood or mucus in stools, avoid taking Cefdinir and consult a doctor immediately.
Cefdinir may interfere with urine test (for sugar) and Coomb’s test (blood test) giving false-positive results. Therefore, if you are about to undergo any laboratory tests, inform your doctor or lab technician that you are taking Cefdinir.
Cefdinir is not used to treat viral infections. Cefdinir is an antibiotic which is used to treat only bacterial infections.
You are advised to maintain a time gap of minimum 2 hours between taking Cefdinir and antacids containing aluminium and magnesium as they may reduce the absorption of Cefdinir by the body. However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines with Cefdinir.
