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Cefdinir Coupon - Cefdinir 300mg capsule

cefdinir

Generic Omnicef
Used for Skin Infection, Ear Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Pneumonia, Sinus Infection
Used for Skin Infection, Ear Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Pneumonia, Sinus Infection

Cefdinir, also known by its brand name Omnicef, is a cephalosporin antibiotic that can treat several types of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections. Although the brand name is no longer available, its generic can still be prescribed for adults and children. Cefdinir comes as capsules and a suspension that are taken once or twice per day by mouth. Side effects can include diarrhea, nausea, and rash.

Last reviewed on March 31, 2024
basics-icon

What is Cefdinir?

What is Cefdinir used for?

How Cefdinir works

Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making an additional covering around themselves for protection.

When does Cefdinir start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsOmnicef (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassCephalosporin antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$52.15(save 78.74%)
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$11.09
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What are the side effects of Cefdinir?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Diarrhea (up to 15%)

Other Side Effects

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious allergic reactions: hives; rash; blisters; swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
  • Infectious diarrhea (C. difficile-related diarrhea): fever, nausea, foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent bowel movements (up to 15 times per day)
When do Cefdinir possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Nausea
Diarrhea
Yeast infection in women

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Diarrhea

Rare

Black, tarry stools

chest pain

chills

cough

fever

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

blood in the urine or stools

bloody nose

bloody or cloudy urine

bloody, black, or tarry stools

blue lips, fingernails, or skin

bruising

chest pain or discomfort

clay-colored stools

cold, clammy skin

confusion

coughing or vomiting blood

cracks in the skin

dark-colored urine

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficult or troubled breathing

difficulty with breathing or swallowing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

extreme fatigue

fast heartbeat

fast, weak pulse

feeling of discomfort

general body swelling

general tiredness and weakness

headache

heavier menstrual periods

high fever

hives

hoarseness

increased thirst

inflammation of the joints

irregular breathing

irregular heartbeat

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

itching

joint or muscle pain

light-colored stools

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

loss of consciousness

loss of heat from the body

muscle aches

muscle cramps or spasms

muscle pain or stiffness

nausea or vomiting

noisy breathing

nosebleeds

pain in the ankles or knees

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs

pale skin

persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose

pinpoint red spots on the skin

problems with bleeding or clotting

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

scaly skin

seizures

severe stomach pain

slow or irregular breathing

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

sweating

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

swollen lymph glands

tightness in the chest

unpleasant breath odor

unusual weight loss

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

vomiting of blood

weight gain

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Itching of the vagina or genital area

pain during sexual intercourse

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

vaginal yeast infection

Rare

Acid or sour stomach

belching

constipation

dry mouth

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

full feeling

heartburn

increase in body movements

increased clear or white vaginal discharge

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

passing gas

rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

unable to sleep

Incidence not known

Burning, dry, or itching eyes

discharge, excessive tearing

redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Cefdinir

thumbs-up

Pros

Available as a capsule and oral suspension

Can be used for children and adults

Might be able to take once per day, depending on the infection

Can keep oral suspension at room temperature for up to 10 days

thumbs-down

Cons

Might not be able to take this antibiotic if you've had a severe allergic reaction to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics

Must separate when you take cefdinir and antacids or iron supplements by at least 2 hours

Oral suspension contains sugar, so people with diabetes might have higher blood sugar levels while they're taking the antibiotic

Not recommended for the cold or flu, since they're not caused by a bacterial infection

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Cefdinir

pharmacist
  • Take cefdinir exactly as your healthcare professional (HCP) instructed you to. It's important to finish your treatment course, even if you start feeling better. Stopping the medication earlier than prescribed can make your infection come back and become harder to treat.

    • You can take cefdinir with or without food. But if the antibiotic upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help.

      • Make sure to tell your HCP and pharmacist about all of the medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements you're taking. They can let you know if you need to take any of them, like antacids and iron supplements, at a different time than cefdinir to avoid drug interactions.

        • Ask your HCP whether it's safe and appropriate for you to take a probiotic to help lessen the risk of rare, but serious infectious diarrhea. If your HCP recommends taking a probiotic, take it at least 2 hours before or after cefdinir to prevent the antibiotic from killing the "good" bacteria in the probiotic.

          • Get medical care right away if you have watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime while you're taking cefdinir or after you finish your antibiotics. These could be signs of serious infectious diarrhea that should be treated right away.

            • Contact your HCP or get medical help as soon as possible if you have a rash, itchy skin, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face or mouth. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.

              For the cefdinir capsules:

              • Swallow the cefdinir capsules whole with water; don't crush or chew them. Ask your HCP about other options, such as switching to the oral suspension formulation, if you're having trouble swallowing the capsules whole.

                • Store the cefdinir capsules in a cool and dry place at room temperature and away from light.

                  For the cefdinir oral suspension (liquid):

                  • Shake the cefdinir bottle well before each time you measure out the medication. Make sure to only use a medication dose cup or oral syringe from the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons; they aren't accurate and using them might cause you to take the wrong dose.

                    • Store the cefdinir suspension at room temperature for up to 10 days. After 10 days, throw away the bottle, even if there's still some medication left.

                      faqs

                      Frequently asked questions about Cefdinir

                      How long does it take cefdinir to work?
                      In general, it takes antibiotics like cefdinir about a few days to start working to help you feel better. Keep in mind that the time it takes for your symptoms to improve with antibiotic treatment can also depend on the infection and how serious it is.
                      How long do cefdinir side effects last?
                      Most people generally have few to little side effects from cefdinir. But some people might experience side effects like diarrhea and nausea at any time during their treatment course with cefdinir (usually 5 to 10 days, depending on the infection). Once you finish your course of antibiotics, these side effects should go away. Contact your primary care provider if you continue to have side effects — especially diarrhea — after your last dose of cefdinir. Your primary care provider can examine you and check for other issues.
                      What should I not take with cefdinir?
                      You can take most other medications with cefdinir. But you'll need to take a few medications at different times than cefdinir to help avoid drug interactions. For example, take antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, like Mylanta Maximum Strength, and iron-containing supplements (except baby formula) at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after cefdinir. These products can interfere with how well cefdinir gets absorbed into your body. As a result, the antibiotic might work less well to fight your infection. Additionally, the gout medication probenecid can block how well your body gets rid of cefdinir. This can put you at risk for side effects from cefdinir. Tell your prescriber if you're taking acid reflux medications, iron-containing supplements, or probenecid. They can recommend other medications or help you space out your medications to prevent these interactions.
                      Is cefdinir a penicillin?
                      No. Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics have similar chemical structures, but they differ in terms of what bacteria they can fight against. Because of their similar chemical structures though, there's a small chance that you might be at risk of having an allergic reaction to cefdinir if you have a penicillin allergy. Let the prescriber know if you have a penicillin allergy so they can check your risk. You might still be able to take cefdinir if you've had a mild rash to penicillin; be sure to still look out for allergic reactions if you're prescribed cefdinir. But it's possible that the prescriber will choose a different antibiotic to be safe, especially if your reaction to penicillin was severe.
                      Is cefdinir a sulfa drug?
                      No. Cefdinir isn't a sulfa drug; it's a cephalosporin antibiotic. You can safely take cefdinir if you have a sulfa allergy because it belongs to a different class of antibiotics.
                      Does cefdinir treat UTIs?
                      Cefdinir isn't FDA-approved to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), but many prescribers commonly use the antibiotic off-label for this type of infection. More specifically, cefdinir is a preferred antibiotic for children with UTIs. Ask your prescriber whether cefdinir is an appropriate choice for you if you have a UTI.
                      Can you drink alcohol while you're taking cefdinir?
                      It's best to avoid alcohol while you're taking cefdinir. Both cefdinir and alcohol can cause diarrha, nausea, and vomiting. So drinking alcohol while you're taking cefdinir can make these side effects worse. Alcohol can also sometimes make it harder for you to recover from an infection. Speak with a healthcare professional about your drinking habits and how to best avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking cefdinir.
                      Is cefdinir safe in pregnancy?
                      In general, cefdinir is considered a safe antibiotic to take during pregnancy. Be sure to let the prescriber know if you're pregnant. They'll talk to you about the risks and benefits of taking cefdinir while pregnant.
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                      What are the risks and warnings for Cefdinir?

                      Cefdinir can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                      risk-warning

                      Severe allergic reactions

                      • Risk factors: Allergy to penicillin or other cephalosporin antibiotics

                        Severe allergic reactions to cefdinir are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Let your prescriber know if you have an allergy to antibiotics so they can check for your risk of having an allergic reaction to cefdinir. Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after you take cefdinir.

                        risk-warning

                        Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection

                        Antibiotics, including cefdinir, raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can allow C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. This infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening.

                        It's important to recognize the difference between diarrhea as a side effect of cefdinir and this type of infectious diarrhea. C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day) and is a medical emergency. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms so you can get tested for C. diff infection and get appropriate treatment, if needed.

                        risk-warning

                        Possible development of drug-resistant bacteria

                        Take cefdinir exactly as prescribed. Using cefdinir for any shorter or longer periods of time or taking the antibiotic for other illnesses can raise your risk for developing infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. These types of infections can be severe, life-threatening, and more difficult to treat.

                        dosage

                        Cefdinir dosage forms

                        The average cost for 20 capsules of 300mg of Cefdinir is $12.16 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 76.68% off the average retail price of $52.15.
                        bottle of oral suspension
                        Bottle of oral suspension
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        60ml of 125mg/5ml1 bottle$11.09$11.09
                        100ml of 125mg/5ml1 bottle$15.48$15.48
                        60ml of 250mg/5ml1 bottle$12.60$12.60
                        100ml of 250mg/5ml1 bottle$18.00$18.00
                        capsule
                        Capsule
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        300mg20 capsules$12.16$0.61

                        Typical dosing for Cefdinir

                        Ages 13 years and older (capsules only):

                        • The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.

                        • For certain infections (sinus infections, strep throat, tonsil infections, and infections related to bronchitis), you might be able to take 600 mg once per day for 10 days.

                        Ages 6 months to under 13 years (oral suspension only):

                        • The dose is based on your child's body weight. The typical dose is 7 mg/kg of body weight by mouth every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.

                        • For certain infections (ear infections, sinus infections, strep throat, and tonsil infections), your child might be able to take a higher dose (14 mg/kg) once per day for 10 days.

                        Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Cefdinir and other drugs

                        Cefdinir may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Cefdinir. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        • Iron
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                        contraindications-icon

                        Cefdinir contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cefdinir will not be safe for you to take.
                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Cefdinir?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Cefdinir. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        images

                        Cefdinir images

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                        This medicine is Blue Capsule Imprinted With "Sandoz 663 Sandoz 663".Blue Sandoz 663 Sandoz 663 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        Green And Purple C 300 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        This medicine is Green And Purple Capsule Imprinted With "C 300".Green And Purple C 300 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        Blue-Green And Purple E99 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        This medicine is Blue-Green And Purple Capsule Imprinted With "E99".Blue-Green And Purple E99 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        Blue-Green And Purple E99 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        This medicine is Blue-Green And Purple Capsule Imprinted With "E99".Blue-Green And Purple E99 - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        Blue And Purple Lupin Lupin Cefdinir Cefdinir - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule
                        This medicine is Blue And Purple Capsule Imprinted With "Lupin Lupin Cefdinir Cefdinir".Blue And Purple Lupin Lupin Cefdinir Cefdinir - Cefdinir 300mg Capsule

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2024). Cefdinir - cefdinir capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2024). Cefdinir powder, for suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Chaudhry, S.B., et al. (2019). Cephalosporins: A focus on side chains and β-lactam cross-reactivity. Pharmacy (Basel).

                        View All References (7)
                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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