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), as well as skin as well as other cushioned tissues.

How Taken

Omnicef is used once or twice daily, depending on the nature as well as severity of the infection. The capsules or suspension can be used with or without food. Patients with advanced renal disease may need to take lower doses to halt 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 as well as 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 as well as 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 as well as many injectable antibiotics. Similar other cephalosporins cefdinir stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming walls that surround them. The walls are essential to protect bacteria from their environment as well as to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Omnicef is active against a very expansive spectrum of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of strep throat); Hemophilus influenzae; Moraxella catarrhalis; E. coli ; Klebsiella; as well as Proteus mirabilis. It is not active against Pseudomonas. Therapeutic uses of cefdinir include otitis media (infections of the middle ear), infections of cushioned tissues, as well as respiratory tract infections. It was approved by the FDA in December of 1997.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered incase it is within 4 hours. Incase you remember later, skip the missed dose as well as 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 incase it is within 4 hours. Incase you remember later, skip the missed dose as well as 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 as well as 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 as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

This medication infrequently produces very humorless, recent irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Therefore, it should be used in carefully selected patients to treat life-threatening irregular heartbeats only. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Before using Rythmol SR, tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you are allergic to it; or incase you possess any other allergies. This medication should not be used incase you possess confident health examination conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist incase you have: asthma, emphysema/bronchitis along with asthma, confident heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, heart block or any conduction/sinus node problems, very unhurried heartbeat), untreated blood mineral imbalance (electrolyte imbalance), very abridged blood pressure. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: kidney or liver problems. Incase you possess an artificial heart pacemaker, Rythmol SR may alter its function (both sensing as well as pacing). Consult your doctor for more details. Incase you are scheduled for dental or health examination procedures, inform your doctor/dentist you take this medication. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, weakness or changes in sleep habits may occur as your body adjusts to the medicine. Other side effects include muscle aches, sweating, moistureless mouth, tremors as well as unusual taste in the mouth. Incase any of these symptoms continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor promptly incase you develop: chest pain, blurred vision, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, chills. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), unexpected weight gain, swelling of the ankles/feet, trouble breathing, unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take this medication. Learn how to monitor your pulse. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., EKG, pacemaker testing incase applicable) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Keep all scheduled appointments as well as doctor visits.