Cefdinir

Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 20, 2023

This article describes cefdinir’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find coupon options to help save on the cost of cefdinir.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cefdinir for certain conditions. Approved uses for cefdinir are described below.

Use for bacterial infections

Doctors may prescribe cefdinir oral capsule and oral liquid suspension for treating certain infections caused by bacteria. It’s used for this purpose in adults and some children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Cefdinir oral capsule and oral liquid suspension are prescribed for the following infections in adults and children ages 6 months and older:

• sinus infection
• strep throat
• tonsillitis
• uncomplicated skin infections

Cefdinir oral capsule is also prescribed for the following infections in adults and adolescents ages 13 years and older:

• community-acquired pneumonia (a type of lung infection not caught in a hospital)
• flare-ups of chronic (long-term) bronchitis, caused by a lung infection

Cefdinir oral liquid suspension is also prescribed for middle ear infection in children ages 6 months to 12 years.

Doctors usually only prescribe cefdinir for these infections if they’re caused by certain types of bacteria. Cefdinir is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria causing the infection.

To identify what’s causing your infection, your doctor may take a sample from the infected area and send it to a lab for examination. This helps your doctor prescribe the right treatment for your infection.

Doctors may not prescribe cefdinir oral capsule and oral liquid suspension in certain situations. For example, cefdinir won’t work for infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.

Cefdinir may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of cefdinir and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about cefdinir’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for cefdinir listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with cefdinir are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about cefdinir’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cefdinir listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of cefdinir oral capsule and oral liquid suspension include:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• vaginal yeast infection
• rash
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cefdinir” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of cefdinir are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about cefdinir’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cefdinir listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Cefdinir’s serious side effects include:

• diarrhea related to Clostridiodes difficile (C. diff) infection in the bowel
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cefdinir” section.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about cefdinir.

Can cefdinir be taken for a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved cefdinir for treating UTIs. But doctors may sometimes prescribe it off-label for this use. Off-label use refers to prescribing a drug for a use that’s not approved by the FDA.

Your doctor will likely only prescribe cefdinir for a UTI if it’s caused by certain types of bacteria and other antibiotics aren’t suitable. Your doctor can tell you more about this.

Are there brand-name versions of cefdinir?

No, cefdinir is only available as a generic drug. Cefdinir was previously available as the brand-name drug Omnicef. However, Omnicef has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the brand-name version on which it’s based. If you’d like to know more about how generic drugs compare with brand-name versions, see this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also discuss this topic with you.

How does cefdinir work? And how long does it take to start working?

Cefdinir treats bacterial infections by causing the cell walls of bacteria to break apart. This kills the bacteria, which clears up the infection.

Cefdinir starts working as soon as you start taking it. But it may take a few days to kill all the bacteria and fully treat the infection.

It’s important to finish the course of cefdinir your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms improve. If you stop treatment early, the infection could come back again. The bacteria could also become resistant to the antibiotic, making the infection harder to treat.

If you’d like to know more about how cefdinir works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below, you’ll find information about cefdinir’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of cefdinir

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take cefdinir, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for cefdinir” section just below.

Warnings for cefdinir

Some people should not take cefdinir, and others should take it cautiously.

Cefdinir could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether cefdinir is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for cefdinir, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Cefdinir can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to cefdinir or any of its ingredients, or to similar antibiotics, your doctor will likely not prescribe cefdinir. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to cefdinir, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of cefdinir

You should not take more cefdinir than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and cefdinir

Information about cefdinir and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Cefdinir and pregnancy

It’s not known whether cefdinir should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Cefdinir and breastfeeding

In general, cefdinir is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.

This article describes cefdinir’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about cefdinir or would like more details about it.

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

• How long do I need to take cefdinir?
• What should I do if I have diarrhea while taking cefdinir?
• Can probiotics help prevent side effects of cefdinir?
• Can I take cefdinir if I’m allergic to penicillin?

• Cefdinir capsules USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/12e89d69-7ef8-4dd6-ab64-a7fc3f1f8e70/spl-doc
• Cefdinir for oral suspension USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fbd76f8c-e6b8-52f4-e053-6394a90aa7ab/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.