Cefdinir

Indications

Cefdinir is used for: Community-acquired pneumonia, Susceptible infections, Sinusitis, Otitis media, Sore throat, Soft tissue infections, Respiratory tract infections, Acute Exacerbations of Chronic bronchitis, Acute Maxillary Sinusitis

Adult Dose

Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Skin/Skin Structure Infections 300 mg PO q12hr for 10 days Respiratory Tract Infections, Acute Maxillary Sinusitis 300 mg PO q12hr or 600 mg PO q24hr for 10 days Hepatic impairment No dosage adjustment necessary

Child Dose

<6 months: Safety and efficacy not established 6 months-12 years: 7 mg/kg PO q12hr for 5-10 days or 14 mg/kg PO q24hr for 10 days >12 years or >43 kg: 300 mg PO q12hr or 600 mg PO q24hr for 10 days

Renal Dose

Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) <30 300 mg once daily.

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity.

Precautions

Penicillin-sensitive patients; superinfection; seizure; pseudomembranous colitis; pregnancy, lactation; renal or hepatic insufficiency. Lactation: Unknown whether drug is excreted in milk

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Concomitant admin w/ antacids or Fe supplements reduce the rate and extent of absorption. Admin w/ Fe supplements may cause reddish stools. Decreased renal elimination w/ probenecid.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Cefdinir : >10% Diarrhea (8-15%) 1-10% Vaginal moniliasis (<4%),Nausea (3%),Rash (3%),Headache (2%),Increased urine leukocytes (2%),Increased urine protein (1-2%),Decreased lymphocytes (1%),Glycosuria (1%),Increased alkaline phosphatase (1%),Increased eosinophils (1%),Increased platelets (1%) Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis; renal and hepatic failure.

Mechanism of Action

Cefdinir binds to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell wall, thus inhibiting biosynthesis and arresting cell wall assembly resulting in bacterial cell death.