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Precautions and Warnings With Cefdinir

Before starting any medication, you should review all relevant precautions and warnings. With cefdinir, you should be aware of possible side effects. For example, there is a higher risk of developing other infections and experiencing severe diarrhea. Precautions and warnings with cefdinir also extend to women who are pregnant, people with kidney disease, and those who are allergic to other types of antibiotics.

 

Cefdinir: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking cefdinir (Omnicef®) if you:
 
  • Have kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have any allergies to cefdinir, to other cephalosporins, to penicillin, or to other types of antibiotics.
 
Also tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings With Cefdinir

Precautions and warnings to be aware of prior to taking cefdinir include the following:
 
  • Cefdinir can interact with certain medications (see Drug Interactions With Cefdinir).
     
  • About 10 percent of people who are allergic to penicillin may also be allergic to cefdinir. Therefore, let your healthcare provider know if you are allergic to penicillin. Also, if taking cefdinir, let your healthcare provider know if you develop:
 
    • Any unexplained rash
    • Itchy skin
    • Hives
    • Wheezing
    • Swelling of the throat
    • Difficulty breathing.
 
  • Cefdinir is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. When studied in animals, however, cefdinir showed no negative effects on the fetus. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider before using cefdinir if you are pregnant.
     
  • If you have severe liver disease, your healthcare provider may give you a lower dose than normal or not prescribe this medication at all.
     
  • If you are nursing, it is known that cefdinir does not pass through your milk following a single dose. It is unknown, however, whether cefdinir is present in breast milk following numerous doses.
     
  • Many antibiotics have been known to cause pseudomembranous colitis (severe diarrhea). Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
 
    • Severe, watery diarrhea
    • Blood in your stools
    • Stomach pain
    • Low-grade fever.
 
  • While taking antibiotics, other infections have been known to occur. If you notice any unrelated symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
     
  • Taking cefdinir has been known to increase the chance of developing vaginal yeast infections.
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Cefdinir Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;