Cefdinir

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Sep 08, 2022

Warnings

Cefdinir Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Cefdinir can cause serious medical problems in certain people. You may want to opt out of taking this medicine if you are at a high risk of complications. Some of the risks of cefdinir use include:

ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Seek emergency medical help if you experience signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling in the face, or a severe skin reaction while taking cefdinir. Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergic reactions to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe another antibiotic if cefdinir is not right for you.
SEVERE DIARRHEA: Rarely, patients receiving cefdinir or other antibiotics can develop severe diarrhea caused by bacteria called Clostridium difficile. C. diff diarrhea is a severe intestinal condition that can happen during antibiotic treatment or up to 2 months after you finish taking an antibiotic. The risk is higher when taking cefdinir for prolonged or repeated periods and with recent use of other antibiotics. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop serious symptoms like watery or bloody stools.
KIDNEY PROBLEMS: Cefdinir is removed from the body through the kidneys. In people with a history of renal impairment or kidney disease, there can be a build-up of cefdinir in the body because the kidneys cannot flush medications. This can cause problems. Your healthcare provider may order certain lab tests to check kidney function and decide on the right dose of cefdinir for you. The risk of kidney problems is higher in people with pre-existing kidney disease and in elderly individuals.
DRUG RESISTANCE: You should only take cefdinir or other antibiotic medicines to treat infections caused by bacteria. Unnecessary or indiscriminate use of antibiotics, for example to treat a viral infection, can lead to the development of drug resistance in bacteria. This can make future infections much harder to treat.
SUPERINFECTIONS: Cefdinir does not kill all bacteria. The bacteria that survive can multiply and cause what is called a "superinfection," which can make your symptoms worse. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new fever or infection symptoms, if you start feeling sicker while on cefdinir, or if your symptoms persist after finishing the antibiotic course. The risk of new infections or superinfections is higher if you take cefdinir for a prolonged period.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at high risk of complications from cefdinir use.

Precautions Before Starting Cefdinir

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to cefdinir, any other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefadroxil, cefaclor, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefepime (Maxipime), cefditoren (Spectracef), cefixime (Suprax), cefotetan, cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefprozil, cefpodoxime, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cephalexin (Keflex), or cefuroxime (Zinacef), penicillin antibiotics, or any other drugs. Also tell your doctor if you have had allergic reactions to any of the inactive ingredients in cefdinir products. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Cefdinir may not be right for people with certain health conditions, such as gastrointestinal diseases, especially colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), and kidney disease.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions between cefdinir and your other medications.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Cefdinir

Keep all your healthcare appointments during treatment with cefdinir. Your doctor may want to perform certain medical tests while you are on this antibiotic.

If you have diabetes, you should know that cefdinir oral suspension contains sugar (sucrose).

You should take iron supplements, multivitamins containing iron, and antacids containing magnesium or aluminum at least 2 hours away from cefdinir. An infant taking liquid cefdinir can, however, receive iron fortified infant formula.

Tell your doctor if your infection symptoms do not improve or get worse after starting cefdinir. Finish the prescribed course of cefdinir even if you start to feel better or your symptoms disappear. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor’s approval. Skipping doses or not finishing out antibiotics can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria that can cause infections that are harder to treat.

Tell all your doctors you are on cefdinir before any surgery, including dental procedures. Tell laboratory personnel that you are on this medicine. Cefdinir can significantly interfere with diabetic urine testing products and lead to false positive results.

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking cefdinir.

Cefdinir Drug Interactions

Certain other medicines can affect cefdinir absorption and how well it works. Possible drug interactions between cefdinir and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between cefdinir and your other medicines.

There can be possible drug interactions between cefdinir and the following medications:

Medicines for gouty arthritis such as probenecid (Probalan)
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) like warfarin
Hormonal contraceptives

The above list may not include all the possible interactions of cefdinir. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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