cefdinir
Brand names: Omnicef
Cefdinir is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat different types of infections.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.11/unit
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cefdinir treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Vaginal yeast infection (in women), Nausea
Key warnings
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take cefdinir exactly as your doctor tells you. You can take it with or without food. For children, the total daily dose is 14 mg/kg, up to 600 mg per day. Some infections are treated once a day, others twice a day.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store the dry powder at room temperature. After mixing, keep the liquid medicine at room temperature and use it within 10 days.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 3,998 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 7,348 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
7,348
Death-Related Reports
571
Hospitalization Reports
2,379
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIARRHOEA | 508 |
| 2 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 485 |
| 3 | PNEUMONIA | 466 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 442 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 382 |
| 6 | PAIN | 367 |
| 7 | RENAL FAILURE | 360 |
| 8 | SINUSITIS | 349 |
| 9 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 324 |
| 10 | HEADACHE | 315 |
| 11 | DYSPNOEA | 314 |
| 12 | URINARY TRACT INFECTION | 288 |
| 13 | DEATH | 286 |
| 14 | PYREXIA | 279 |
| 15 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 272 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics.
Known Drug Interactions
Probenecid As with other β-lactam antibiotics, probenecid inhibits the renal excretion of cefdinir, resulting in an approximate doubling in AUC, a 54% increase in peak cefdinir plasma levels, and a 50% prolongation in the apparent elimination t ½ .
Mechanism: Probenecid blocks your kidneys from getting rid of cefdinir, which can double the amount of the antibiotic that stays in your body.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your treatment because this combination makes the antibiotic stay in your system much longer than normal.
Common Questions
Can I take cefdinir with food?
How long should I take cefdinir?
What should I do if I have diarrhea while taking cefdinir?
Can cefdinir interact with other medications?
What if my stools are reddish in color?
Can I stop taking cefdinir if I feel better?
What if I am allergic to penicillin?
How should I dispose of unused cefdinir?
What if I think the medicine is not working?
Can I drink alcohol while taking cefdinir?
What are the common side effects of cefdinir?
Does cefdinir interact with other medications?
What drug class is cefdinir?
Is cefdinir safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Third-Generation Cephalosporin
Other drugs grouped near cefdinir — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with cefdinir →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with cefdinir →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with cefdinir →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with cefdinir →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with cefdinir →
Medication Guides
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for cefdinir
The FDA label for cefdinir (sold under brand names such as Omnicef) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Third-Generation Cephalosporin class. Cefdinir treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Vaginal yeast infection (in women), Nausea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,998 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: February 14, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages