Cefdinir

GENERIC NAME: cefdinir

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM
Cefdinir is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made) oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefixime (Suprax), cefprozil (Cefzil) as well as many injectable antibiotics. Like other cephalosporins, cefdinir stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Cefdinir is active against a very wide spectrum of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of strep throat); Hemophilus influenzae; Moraxella catarrhalis; E. coli; Klebsiella; and Proteus mirabilis. It is not active against Pseudomonas. Therapeutic uses of cefdinir include otitis media (infections of the middle ear), infections of soft tissues, and respiratory tract infections. The FDA approved cefdinir in December 1997.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 300 mg; oral suspension, 125 and 250 mg/5 mL

PRESCRIBED FOR
Cefdinir is effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of the middle ear (otitis media), tonsils (tonsillitis), throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis), lungs (pneumonia), skin and other soft tissues.

DOSING
Cefdinir is taken once or twice daily, depending on the nature and severity of the infection. The capsules or suspension can be taken with or without food. Patients with advanced kidney disease may need to take lower doses to prevent accumulation of cefdinir since it is eliminated from the body by the kidneys.

For adult infections the usual dose is 300 mg every 12 hours or 600 mg per day for 5-10 days depending on the nature and severity of the infection. The recommended dose for children 6 months to 12 years of age is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg per day for 5-10 days depending on the infection. For most infections once daily dosing is as effective as twice daily dosing, though once daily dosing has not been evaluated for the treatment of skin infections or pneumonia.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Aluminum or magnesium containing antacids reduce the absorption of cefdinir from the intestine. Separating the administration of cefdinir and such antacids by two hours prevents this interaction.

Iron supplements also reduce the absorption of cefdinir. Separating the administration of cefdinir and iron supplements by two hours prevents this interaction. There have been reports of reddish stool in patients who have received cefdinir. This could be due to the formation of a chemical complex between cefdinir and iron in the stomach.

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.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.