From the FDA Drug Label
Patients With Renal Insufficiency For adult patients with creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, the dose of cefdinir should be 300 mg given once daily. Patients on Hemodialysis Hemodialysis removes cefdinir from the body. In patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis, the recommended initial dosage regimen is a 300 mg or 7 mg/kg dose every other day.
The recommended dosing for adults with normal renal function is not explicitly stated in the label. However, for adults with renal insufficiency, the dose is 300 mg once daily. For patients on hemodialysis, the dose is 300 mg every other day 1.
From the Research
Omnicef (cefdinir) for adults is typically dosed at 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily for 5-10 days, depending on the type of infection being treated. For most respiratory infections like sinusitis, bronchitis, or pharyngitis, the standard regimen is 300 mg twice daily for 10 days 2. For uncomplicated skin infections, 300 mg twice daily for 10 days is recommended. For community-acquired pneumonia, 300 mg twice daily for 10 days is standard.
Key Considerations
- Patients with kidney impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min) should receive a reduced dose of 300 mg once daily.
- Omnicef should be taken with or without food, though taking it with food may help reduce stomach upset.
- Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, as well as iron supplements, should be taken at least 2 hours before or after Omnicef as they can reduce absorption.
Efficacy and Safety
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and headache.
- Omnicef is effective because it's a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it particularly effective against many respiratory and skin pathogens 3.
Special Populations
- For penicillin-allergic patients, the use of third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins like Omnicef carries a negligible risk of cross allergy 4.
Administration
- The choice between once-daily and twice-daily dosing may depend on the specific infection and patient factors, but both regimens have been shown to be effective 2.