Cefdinir
Introduction To Cefdinir
Cefdinir is an antibiotic medicine. It helps treat a wide range of bacterial infections in children, such as infections of the ear, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
It is best if you give Cefdinir to your child an hour before or two hours after meals as that ensures better absorption. However, switch to giving it with food if your child develops a stomach upset. Make sure to adhere to the dose, time, and way mentioned by your doctor as it is advised depending upon the type and severity of the infection. If your child vomits within 30 minutes of the intake, give the same dose again but do not double dose if it's the time for the next dose.
Cefdinir may have some mild side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and mild skin rash. These side effects usually go away on their own. However, if these side effects persist or start bothering your child, speak to your child's doctor immediately.
Make sure the doctor knows if your child has ever suffered from any allergies, heart diseases, blood problems, birth defects, airway blockage, lung disorder, digestive troubles, skin problems, liver impairment, and kidney malfunction. Sharing your child's entire medical history will make it easier for the doctor to decide the most appropriate doses and design your child's treatment plan.
Uses of Cefdinir
- Treatment of Bacterial infections
Benefits of Cefdinir
Treatment of Bacterial infections
Cefdinir is an antibiotic medicine which effectively treats a range of
bacterial infections. It also helps treat tonsillitis and pneumonia caused due
to bacterial infection in the airways and lungs. This medicine inhibits the
growth of infection-causing bacteria by stopping it from multiplying. An
improvement may be seen within 3 to 5 days of regular dosing. However, you
must finish the full course of the medicine and never stop it abruptly by
yourself as that may worsen your child’s condition or cause infection
recurrence.
Side effects of Cefdinir
Cefdinir does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-
Common side effects of Ecef
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Allergy
- Headache
How to use Cefdinir
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Dissolve the powder in sterile water. Shake well and use. Cefdinir may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Cefdinir works
Cefdinir is an antibiotic. It works by preventing the formation of the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is essential for the bacteria to survive. By doing so, this medicine stops the infection-causing bacteria from growing further and prevents the infection from spreading without making them resistant to further treatment.
Quick tips
- It is essential that your child completes the entire course of antibiotics. Not finishing the full dose of medicine may cause the bacteria to multiply again, become resistant, or cause another infection.
- If your child develops diarrhea as a side effect, encourage him/her to drink plenty of water.
- Conditions like common cold and flu are caused by viruses. Never use this medicine for such conditions.
- Only give Cefdinir to your child for their current infection. Never save medicine for future illnesses.
- Discontinue the medicine and seek immediate help from the doctor if your child develops an itchy rash, facial swelling, or breathing difficulties while taking this medicine.
Safety Advice
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Cefdinir if I have/had kidney diseases?
Cefdinir should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cefdinir may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
LiverSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Cefdinir if I have/had liver diseases?
Cefdinir is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Cefdinir is recommended. However, consult with your child’s doctor before giving this medicine to your child in case of a severe form of liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can Cefdinir be given to children who are less than 5 months of age?
No. Safety and efficacy data in neonates and infants less than 6 months of age have not yet been established, so avoid giving it to kids younger than 6 months of age.
Q. Can giving oral nutrition supplements (infant formula) interfere with the absorption of Cefdinir?
Infant formula does not cause any significant interference with the absorption of Cefdinir. Therefore, this medicine can be given with oral nutrition supplements (infant formula or baby milk).
Q. What will happen if I give an excess of Cefdinir to my child?
Even though an extra dose of Cefdinir is unlikely to harm. However, if you think you have given too much of Cefdinir to your child, immediately speak to a doctor.
Q. Can Cefdinir cause serious side effects in my child?
Some serious side effects of this medicine include persistent vomiting, kidney damage, allergy, diarrhea, severe gastrointestinal infections, blood cell count abnormalities, impaired glucose in blood, and electrolyte abnormalities. Always consult your child’s doctor for help in such a situation.
Q. My child has type 1 diabetes and is on insulin therapy. Is it safe to give Cefdinir to my child?
No, Cefdinir can cause disturbed glucose levels in the blood. Therefore, it is not advised to give Cefdinir if your child is diabetic.
Q. Can other medicines be given at the same time as Cefdinir?
Cefdinir can sometimes interact with other medicines or substances. Tell your doctor about any other medicines your child is taking before starting Cefdinir. Also, check with your child’s doctor before giving any medicine to your child.
Q. My child is suffering from anemia and is on oral iron therapy. Is it safe to give Cefdinir along with it?
It is not advised to give Cefdinir with oral iron therapy as it binds to iron preparation in your child’s digestive system and can result in reddish stools.
Q. Can I get my child vaccinated while on treatment with Cefdinir ?
Antibiotics usually do not interfere with the ingredients in vaccines or cause a bad reaction in a child who has just been vaccinated. However, children taking antibiotics should not get vaccinated until they recover from the illness. As soon as your child feels better, the vaccine can be given.
Q. What laboratory tests will the doctor ask for while my child is taking Cefdinir on a long term basis?
The doctor may prescribe getting kidney function tests and liver function tests periodically to keep a check on your child’s condition.
Q. The mucus coming out of my child’s nose is yellow-green. Is it a sign of a bacterial infection?
The color of the mucus cannot be used to understand whether your child needs antibiotics or not. It is normal for the mucus to change color during a common cold infection.
Q. Can Cefdinir affect my child’s digestive system?
Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics because apart from killing the bad bacteria, antibiotics may unintentionally kill the good ones too. On top of that, children often have a sensitive stomach which increases the risk of developing other infections. In case your child is having diarrhea while on Cefdinir, do not stop the medicine course. Instead, call your child’s doctor to ask about the next steps. In some cases, the doctor may alter the dose.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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