From the Research
For treating Klebsiella pneumoniae urinary tract infections (UTIs), the recommended cefdinir dosage for adults is 300 mg orally twice daily for 10 days, as supported by the most recent study 1. This recommendation is based on the study published in 2024, which compared the efficacy of cefdinir and cephalexin in treating UTIs and found no significant differences in treatment failure between the two agents.
- The dosage for children is 14 mg/kg/day divided into two doses (maximum 600 mg/day) for 10 days.
- Cefdinir should be taken with or without food, though high-fat meals may slightly decrease absorption.
- Dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with renal impairment: for creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, reduce to 300 mg once daily.
- Cefdinir is effective against K. pneumoniae because it's a third-generation cephalosporin with good gram-negative coverage, though susceptibility testing is recommended as resistance patterns vary, as noted in studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and rash.
- Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion to ensure complete eradication of the infection and prevent resistance development. The most recent study 1 provides the strongest evidence for the recommended dosage, and its findings are consistent with the general principles of treating UTIs with cephalosporins.