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Dosing With Cefdinir

Several factors are considered when recommending a drug dosing. With cefdinir, your healthcare provider will take into account your age, what you are being treated for, existing medical conditions, and more. The recommended dosage for most bacterial infections is 300 mg, taken twice a day, or 600 mg, taken once a day. When dosing with cefdinir for children ages 6 months to 12 years, the amount prescribed is based on the child's weight.

 

Dosing With Cefdinir: An Introduction

The dose of cefdinir (Omnicef®) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Your age
  • If you have decreased kidney function
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you are currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.
 

Dosing With Cefdinir for Bacterial Infections

The recommended dosage of cefdinir for most types of bacterial infections is cefdinir 300 mg, taken twice a day for five to ten days, or cefdinir 600 mg, taken once a day for 10 days.
 
In children ages 6 months to 12 years, your healthcare provider will prescribe cefdinir based on a weight chart. The dosing can range, depending on body weight, from 7 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) twice daily or 14 mg per kilogram of body weight once daily for 5 to 10 days. Children should generally be limited to 600 mg or less of cefdinir per day.
 

General Information on Dosing With Cefdinir

General information for people taking cefdinir includes the following:
 
  • Cefdinir comes as a capsule or oral suspension (liquid). Do not break, chew, or crush the cefdinir capsules.
     
  • Cefdinir can be taken with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking cefdinir with food.
     
  • Cefdinir should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your system.
     
  • For cefdinir to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed.
     
  • Make sure that you complete your entire prescription of cefdinir, even if you start feeling better. This will ensure that the infection is completely treated.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to cefdinir, or if you have specific questions about dosing with cefdinir, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking cefdinir without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;