What is the recommended dosage and treatment duration of Cefdinir (Cefdinir) for bacterial infections?

From the Guidelines

Cefdinir is recommended at a dosage of 14 mg/kg per day in 1 or 2 doses for the treatment of bacterial infections in children, as an alternative treatment option for those with penicillin allergy. The dosage and treatment duration of Cefdinir may vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's age and medical history. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, for children who have taken amoxicillin in the previous 30 days, those with concurrent conjunctivitis, or those for whom coverage for M catarrhalis is desired, therapy should be initiated with high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate, with Cefdinir as an alternative option. Some key points to consider when prescribing Cefdinir include:

• The recommended dosage for children is 14 mg/kg per day in 1 or 2 doses 1
• Cefdinir may be considered in patients who have received amoxicillin in the previous 30 days or who have the otitis-conjunctivitis syndrome 1
• The chemical structure of the cephalosporin determines the risk of cross-reactivity between specific agents, and Cefdinir is highly unlikely to be associated with cross-reactivity with penicillin 1
• Patients with kidney impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) may require a reduced dose of Cefdinir, although the exact dosage reduction is not specified in the provided evidence. It's essential to note that the treatment duration and dosage may vary depending on the specific infection being treated, and it's crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure complete eradication of the infection.

From the FDA Drug Label

The recommended dosage and duration of treatment for infections in pediatric patients are described in the following chart; the total daily dose for all infections is 14 mg/kg, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day.

Pediatric Patients (Age 6 Months Through 12 Years) Type of Infection Dosage Duration Acute Bacterial Otitis Media 7 mg/kg q12h or 14 mg/kg q24h 5 to 10 days 10 days Acute Maxillary Sinusitis 7 mg/kg q12h or 14 mg/kg q24h 10 days 10 days Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis 7 mg/kg q12h or 14 mg/kg q24h 5 to 10 days 10 days Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections 7 mg/kg q12h 10 days

The recommended dosage of Cefdinir for bacterial infections in pediatric patients is:

• Acute Bacterial Otitis Media: 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg every 24 hours
• Acute Maxillary Sinusitis: 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg every 24 hours
• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg every 24 hours
• Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections: 7 mg/kg every 12 hours The recommended treatment duration is:
• Acute Bacterial Otitis Media: 5 to 10 days
• Acute Maxillary Sinusitis: 10 days
• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 5 to 10 days
• Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections: 10 days 2

From the Research

Dosage and Treatment Duration of Cefdinir

• The recommended dosage and treatment duration of Cefdinir for bacterial infections vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's age and weight 3, 4, 5.
• For adults and adolescents, Cefdinir can be administered at a dose of 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily for 5 to 10 days 3, 5.
• For pediatric patients, the dose is 14 mg/kg/day in one or two daily doses for 5 to 10 days 5.
• Cefdinir has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various bacterial infections, including community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, acute otitis media, pharyngitis, and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Efficacy and Safety of Cefdinir

• Cefdinir has been demonstrated to be clinically and bacteriologically effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, with efficacy rates comparable to those of other oral antimicrobial agents 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• The safety profile of Cefdinir is similar to that of other oral cephalosporins, with the most common adverse event being diarrhea 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Cefdinir has been shown to be well tolerated, with a low rate of treatment discontinuations due to adverse events 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Comparison with Other Antimicrobial Agents

• Cefdinir has been compared to other antimicrobial agents, including amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefaclor, and penicillin V, and has been shown to be at least as effective and well tolerated as these agents 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Cefdinir has a broader spectrum of activity than some other oral cephalosporins, including activity against beta-lactamase-producing strains of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 5.