Medications and Drugs

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GENERIC NAME: CEFDINIR - ORAL CAPSULES (SEFF-dih-neer)

BRAND NAME(S): Omnicef

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, a directed. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection. Avoid taking antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, iron preparations or vitamin/mineral products within 2 hours of taking this medication. These products may bind with the medicine and prevent its absorption.

SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea or nausea may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: unusual vaginal discharge/itching. Very unlikely but report promptly: changes in amount or color of urine, stomach pain, persistent sore throat or fever, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual fatigue, seizures. May cause reddish discoloration of stools. This is harmless. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies (especially to penicillin/cephalosporin antibiotics), bowel disease (colitis), kidney disease. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this drug. In a small test, cefdinir was not shown to be excreted into breast milk. However, other drugs related to cefdinir are excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.