Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria in the conditions listed below in pediatric patients: 

• Acute bacterial otitis media.
• Acute maxillary sinusitis.
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis.
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.

Do not take Omnicef

• If you are allergic to cefdinir, or to similar antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, cefprozil, cephalexin and others.

Warnings and precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Kidney disease (or of you are on dialysis)
• Intestinal problems, such as colitis or
• An allergy to any drugs (especially penicillins).

Other medicines and Omnicef

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Avoid using antacids or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, magnesium, or iron within 2 hours before or after taking cefdinir. Antacids or iron can make it harder for your body to absorb cefdinir. This does not include baby formula fortified with iron.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Cefdinir can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefdinir.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• Probenecid or
• Vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with cefdinir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Omnicef with food

You may take Omnicef with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Omnicef contains sodium, sodium benzoate and sugar (sucrose)

Omnicef contains sodium. Each 5 ml of Omnicef 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension contains 1.71 mg sodium. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5 ml, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Omnicef contains sodium benzoate. Each 5 ml of Omnicef 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension contains 5.375 mg sodium benzoate.

Omnicef contains sugar (sucrose). Each 5 ml of Omnicef 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension contains 2.92 g sugar (sucrose). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medicine guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the marked measuring spoon provided or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may take Omnicef with or without food.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication.

Cefdinir will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

The recommended dosage and duration of treatment for infections in pediatric patients are described in the following chart; the total daily dose for all infections is 14 mg/kg, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day. Once-daily dosing for 10 days is as effective as BID dosing. Once-daily dosing has not been studied in skin infections; therefore, Omnicef should be administered twice daily in this infection.

Pediatric patients (age 6 months through 12 years)

Omnicef Powder for Oral Suspension pediatric dosage chart

* Pediatric patients who weigh > 43 kg should receive the maximum daily dose of 600 mg.

Directions for mixing Omnicef

Omnicef 125 mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension

To reconstitute, invert the bottle and shake to loosen powder. Add cooled boiled water up to the mark on the bottle in two portions (equivalent to 25 ml or 50 ml for Omnicef 40 ml or 80 ml suspensions; respectively), shake it after each addition until a homogenous suspension is achieved. When first reconstituted allow to stand for five minutes to ensure full dispersion.

Omnicef 250 mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension

To reconstitute, invert the bottle and shake to loosen powder. Add 36.5 ml of cooled boiled water in two portions, shake it after each addition until a homogenous suspension is achieved. When first reconstituted allow to stand for five minutes to ensure full dispersion.

After mixing, the suspension can be stored at room temperature. The bottle should be kept tightly closed, and the suspension should be shaken well before each administration. The suspension may be used for 10 days, after which any unused portion must be discarded.

If you take more Omnicef than you should

Seek emergency medical attention.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea or a seizure.

If you forget to take Omnicef

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

If you stop taking Omnicef

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Sever stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose)
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding
• Seizure (convulsions)
• Fever, weakness, confusion
• Dark colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or
• Kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Headache or
• Rash (including diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefdinir).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Before opening: Do not store above 30°C.

After reconstitution: Store below 25°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture and heat.

After reconstitution, the suspension should be used within 10 days.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not use this medicine if you notice any visible signs of deterioration.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.