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 pediatric dose of Cefdinir is 14 mg/kg per day, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day. The dose can be administered once daily or twice daily, depending on the type of infection.
- For Acute Bacterial Otitis Media, Acute Maxillary Sinusitis, and Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis, the dose is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg every 24 hours.
- For Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections, the dose is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours. 1
From the Research
The recommended pediatric dose of Cefdinir is 14 mg/kg/day, divided into one or two doses, with a maximum of 600 mg daily. This dosage is based on the study by 2, which provides the most recent and highest quality evidence for the use of Cefdinir in pediatric patients. For children weighing less than 43 kg, the typical dosing is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg once daily. For those weighing 43 kg or more, the adult dose of 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily is appropriate.
The duration of treatment depends on the infection being treated, typically ranging from 5-10 days for most common infections like otitis media, sinusitis, or pharyngitis, and up to 14 days for more severe infections. Cefdinir should be administered with or without food, though taking it with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerance. The oral suspension should be refrigerated and used within 10 days. Dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with significant renal impairment.
Cefdinir works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, and patients should be monitored for allergic reactions, especially if they have a history of penicillin allergy due to potential cross-reactivity. The study by 3 also supports the use of Cefdinir in pediatric patients, but the dosage of 25 mg/kg daily was found to be ineffective for treatment of acute otitis media caused by penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae strain.
Some key points to consider when prescribing Cefdinir to pediatric patients include:
- The importance of proper dosing and administration to ensure effective treatment and minimize side effects
- The need for dosage adjustments in patients with significant renal impairment
- The potential for allergic reactions, especially in patients with a history of penicillin allergy
- The effectiveness of Cefdinir against a wide range of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria.
Overall, Cefdinir is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of various infections in pediatric patients, and its use should be guided by the most recent and highest quality evidence, such as the study by 2.