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Medically Approved

Cefdinir oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

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Doctors prescribe cefdinir oral capsule for certain infections caused by bacteria. You take it by mouth once or twice per day.
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on

This article describes cefdinir oral capsule’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for cefdinir. If you want to know more about cefdinir oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Cefdinir oral capsule is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Cefdinir also comes as an oral suspension (liquid mixture), but this article doesn’t describe that form. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

Form and strength of cefdinir

Cefdinir oral capsule comes as follows:

  • Form: capsule that you swallow
  • Strength: 300 milligrams (mg)

Dosage of cefdinir

This article describes the recommended dosages for cefdinir oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of cefdinir oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of cefdinir in adults

Cefdinir is approved to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria in adults:

* “Chronic” means long term.
† People acquire this lung infection where they live, not in a hospital.

The recommended dosages for adults are in the table below, shown in milligrams (mg). The dose, frequency, and length of treatment will depend on the condition being treated.

ConditionRecommended dosage
tonsillitis• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
sinus infection• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
strep throat• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
certain skin infections• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days
flare-ups of chronic bronchitis caused by a lung infection• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
community-acquired pneumonia• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days
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Dosages of cefdinir in children

Cefdinir is approved to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria in children ages 13 years and older:

* “Chronic” means long term.
† People acquire this lung infection where they live, not in a hospital.

The recommended dosages for children are in the table below, shown in milligrams (mg). The dose, frequency, and length of treatment will depend on the condition being treated.

ConditionRecommended dosage
tonsillitis• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
sinus infection• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
strep throat• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
certain skin infections• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days
flare-ups of chronic bronchitis caused by a lung infection• 300 mg every 12 hours for 5–10 days, or
• 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days
community-acquired pneumonia• 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days

Dosage adjustments for cefdinir

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of cefdinir oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

  • the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
  • your age
  • how well your kidneys work
  • other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of cefdinir

It’s important to finish the course of cefdinir, which means taking all the prescribed doses. If you don’t, your infection could come back and be more difficult to treat.

If you miss a dose of cefdinir, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to when you usually take your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

If you’re unsure whether to take the missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can also advise you what to do to ensure you finish the course of your prescribed doses.

For tips on how to plan your doses of cefdinir oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about cefdinir oral capsule and its dosage.

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Are the dosages of cefdinir 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension and cefdinir oral capsule the same?

No, the dosages of the oral suspension (liquid mixture) and oral capsule aren’t the same. The oral suspension comes in a strength of 250 milligrams (mg) per 5 milliliters (mL). The oral capsule comes in a strength of 300 mg.

Doctors prescribe cefdinir oral suspension for children ages 6 months to 12 years for certain infections caused by bacteria. They prescribe the oral capsule for adults and children ages 13 years and older. Unlike the oral capsule dosage, the suspension dosage is based on the child’s weight.

The dose, frequency, and length of treatment will depend on the child’s weight and their infection. Your child’s doctor can provide more information about dosage and a treatment plan.

Can cefdinir be taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe cefdinir oral capsule as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

If you have questions about how long you should take cefdinir oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How cefdinir is taken

You’ll swallow cefdinir oral capsule once or twice per day as prescribed by your doctor. You can take cefdinir oral capsule with or without food.

If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Cefdinir coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for cefdinir when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of cefdinir

It’s important that you do not take more cefdinir oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects. 

What to do if you take too much cefdinir

If you think you’ve taken too much cefdinir, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for cefdinir oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of cefdinir oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take cefdinir oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects if I take a higher dosage of cefdinir oral capsule?
  • Can I take other medications with cefdinir oral capsule?
  • Do I have any health conditions that require me to take a different dosage of cefdinir oral capsule?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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