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) (see CLINICAL STUDIES) In a controlled, double-blind study in adults and adolescents conducted in the U.S., cefdinir BID was compared with cefaclor 500 mg TID. Using strict evaluability and microbiologic/clinical response criteria 6 to 14 days posttherapy, the following clinical cure rates, presumptive microbiologic eradication rates, and statistical outcomes were obtained: U. S. Community-Acquired Pneumonia Study Cefdinir vs Cefaclor Cefdinir BID Cefaclor TID Outcome Clinical Cure Rates 150/187 (80%) 147/186 (79%) Cefdinir equivalent to control Eradication Rates Overall 177/195 (91%) 184/200 (92%) Cefdinir equivalent to control S. pneumoniae 31/31 (100%) 35/35 (100%) H. influenzae 55/65 (85%) 60/72 (83%) M. catarrhalis 10/10 (100%) 11/11 (100%) H parainfluenzae 81/89 (91%) 78/82 (95%)
Key Points:
- Cefdinir is indicated for the treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by susceptible strains of designated microorganisms.
- Clinical studies demonstrate that cefdinir is effective in treating CAP, with clinical cure rates of 80% and eradication rates of 91% in one study 1.
- Cefdinir is equivalent to control (cefaclor) in terms of clinical cure rates and eradication rates in the treatment of CAP 1.
Answer: Cefdinir is effective for the treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by susceptible strains of designated microorganisms, including Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 1, 1.
From the Research
Efficacy of Cefdinir for Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
- Cefdinir has been shown to be effective in the treatment of CAP, with microbiological eradication rates of 92% and a satisfactory clinical response rate of 89% 2.
- A study comparing cefdinir with cefaclor in the treatment of CAP found that cefdinir had a cure rate of 84.8% and an overall efficacy rate of 93.9% 3.
- Cefdinir has been found to have good in vitro activity against common respiratory tract pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4, 5.
- The drug has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate bacterial infections, including CAP, with a pharmacokinetic profile that allows for once- or twice-daily administration 6, 5.
Comparison with Other Antimicrobials
- Cefdinir has been compared with other orally administered antimicrobials, including cefaclor, cefprozil, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and has been found to have equivalent or superior efficacy in the treatment of CAP and other respiratory tract infections 2, 3, 5.
- Cefdinir has been found to have a broader spectrum of activity than some other cephalosporins, including activity against beta-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis 4, 5.
Safety and Tolerability
- Cefdinir has been found to be generally well tolerated, with diarrhea being the most common adverse event 2, 5.
- The incidence of diarrhea in cefdinir recipients has been found to be higher than in recipients of some comparator agents, but discontinuation rates due to adverse events have been generally similar 5.