What is the use of Cefdinir (Cefdinir is a third-generation Cephalosporin antibiotic)?

From the Guidelines

Cefdinir is a suitable agent for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, particularly for patients who are not allergic to penicillin, and is effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. The use of cefdinir is supported by the study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2005 1, which states that cefpodoxime and cefdinir are suitable agents for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis. Some key points to consider when prescribing cefdinir include:

• Typical adult dosage is 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily for 5-10 days
• Children receive 7 mg/kg twice daily or 14 mg/kg once daily, not exceeding the adult dose
• Cefdinir works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
• Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and headache
• Patients with penicillin allergies should use caution as cross-reactivity can occur, although the risk is lower than historically reported, as shown in a study published in Pediatrics in 2013 1
• Cefdinir should be taken with food to improve absorption, and patients should complete the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve
• Those with kidney disease may require dosage adjustments Additionally, cefdinir is also recommended as an alternative treatment for acute otitis media, as stated in the study published in Pediatrics in 2013 1, and is effective against many common respiratory pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as shown in the study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases in 2007 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria Cefdinir for oral suspension is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions listed below Adults and Adolescents Community-Acquired Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), and Moraxella catarrhalis (including β-lactamase producing strains) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), and Moraxella catarrhalis (including β-lactamase producing strains) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), and Moraxella catarrhalis (including β-lactamase producing strains). Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including β-lactamase producing strains) and Streptococcus pyogenes Pediatric Patients Acute Bacterial Otitis Media caused by Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), and Moraxella catarrhalis (including β-lactamase producing strains). Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including β-lactamase producing strains) and Streptococcus pyogenes.

The use of Cefdinir is for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible bacteria in the following conditions:

• Community-Acquired Pneumonia
• Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis
• Acute Maxillary Sinusitis
• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis
• Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
• Acute Bacterial Otitis Media 2

From the Research

Use of Cefdinir

Cefdinir is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including:

• Respiratory tract infections such as community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis 3, 4, 5
• Skin and skin structure infections such as uncomplicated skin infections 3, 4, 5
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis 3, 4, 5
• Acute otitis media 3, 4, 5

Mechanism of Action

Cefdinir has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against many gram-negative and gram-positive aerobic organisms, including:

• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 5 It is stable to hydrolysis by commonly occurring plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases and retains good activity against beta-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis 3, 4, 5

Clinical Efficacy

Cefdinir has shown good clinical and bacteriological efficacy in the treatment of various infections, including:

• Community-acquired pneumonia 3, 4, 5
• Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 3, 4, 5
• Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis 3, 4, 5
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis 3, 4, 5
• Acute otitis media 3, 4, 5
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections 3, 4, 5 Its efficacy is comparable to other oral antimicrobial agents, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate 6 and cefprozil 3

Safety and Tolerability

Cefdinir is generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse event being diarrhea 3, 4, 5, 6 The incidence of diarrhea is generally higher than with comparator agents, but discontinuation rates due to adverse events are similar 3, 4, 5