cefdinir vs ceftazidime
Side-by-side comparison of cefdinir and ceftazidime Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Omnicef
Fortaz
Cefdinir is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat different types of infections.
Ceftazidime is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacterial infections in your body.
Cefdinir treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infections. It is also used for strep throat and skin infections.
Ceftazidime treats many kinds of infections caused by bacteria. This includes lung infections like pneumonia, skin infections, and urinary tract infections. It can also treat blood infections, bone and joint infections, and infections in the abdomen, the female reproductive system, and the brain (like meningitis).
Cefdinir belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
Ceftazidime belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. It works by stopping bacteria from building their cell walls. This kills the bacteria and clears the infection.
- • Diarrhea
- • Vaginal yeast infection (in women)
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Pain or swelling where you got the shot
- • Rash
- • Itching
- • Fever
- • Diarrhea
- Diarrhea 508
- Long-term kidney disease 485
- Pneumonia/Lung infection 466
- Tiredness 441
- Feeling sick to your stomach 381
- Drug Ineffective 826
- Off Label Use 657
- Pyrexia 533
- Septic Shock 335
- Condition Aggravated 319
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics.
Ceftazidime can cause a type of diarrhea called pseudomembranous colitis. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea. This can happen during or after treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if cefdinir will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking cefdinir while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not fully known if ceftazidime will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This cefdinir vs ceftazidime Comparison
cefdinir is classified in the Third-Generation Cephalosporin drug class, while ceftazidime sits within the Third-Generation Cephalosporin class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, cefdinir has 2,281 submissions while ceftazidime has 2,670. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between cefdinir and ceftazidime — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.