Drug Name

Omnicef (Cefdinir)

Drug Uses

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

How Taken

Omnicef 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 renal 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 Class and Mechanism

Omnicef 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 and many injectable antibiotics. Like other cephalosporins cefdinir stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming 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. Omnicef 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. It was approved by the FDA in December of 1997.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered if it is within 4 hours. If you remember later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered if it is within 4 hours. If you remember later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture . Brief storage between 59 to 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.