Can Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) oral suspension be stored in the refrigerator, and can Cefdinir (Omnicef) be stored in the refrigerator?

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Storage Requirements for Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin) and Cefdinir Oral Suspensions

Cefuroxime axetil (Ceftin) oral suspension MUST be refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F) after reconstitution and discarded after 10 days, while cefdinir oral suspension is stored at room temperature (20-25°C/68-77°F) for 10 days and should NOT be refrigerated. 1, 2

Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin) Storage

FDA-Mandated Storage Requirements

  • Reconstituted suspension must be stored between 2-8°C (36-46°F) in the refrigerator 1
  • Discard after 10 days regardless of remaining volume 1
  • Shake well before each use 1
  • Replace cap securely after each opening 1

Supporting Stability Data

  • Research confirms cefuroxime axetil suspension maintains stability for 10 days under refrigerated conditions (5°C), with 92.35% drug release maintained 3
  • Room temperature storage (20°C) shows decreased stability by day 10, with only 87.68% drug release, demonstrating the necessity of refrigeration 3
  • The f2 similarity value of 36.18 on day 10 indicates significant differences between room temperature and refrigerated storage, confirming refrigeration is essential 3

Cefdinir Storage

FDA-Mandated Storage Requirements

  • Store reconstituted oral suspension at controlled room temperature 20-25°C (68-77°F) 2
  • Excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) 2
  • Can be stored at controlled room temperature for 10 days after reconstitution 2
  • Dry powder before reconstitution should be stored at 20-25°C (68-77°F) 2

Critical Distinction

  • Cefdinir should NOT be refrigerated - this is explicitly stated in IDSA guidelines for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, which note that certain antimicrobials "should not be refrigerated" 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Storage Confusion

  • Do not assume all cephalosporin suspensions have identical storage requirements - cefuroxime axetil requires refrigeration while cefdinir does not 1, 2
  • Do not store cefdinir in the refrigerator - this may affect drug stability and palatability 2
  • Do not keep cefuroxime axetil at room temperature - degradation accelerates significantly after day 6 at room temperature 3

Dispensing Errors

  • Do not substitute cefuroxime axetil tablets and suspension on a milligram-per-milligram basis - they are not bioequivalent 1, 5
  • The suspension formulation has different bioavailability compared to tablets, with pharmacokinetic studies demonstrating non-bioequivalence 5

Expiration Management

  • Both suspensions expire 10 days after reconstitution regardless of storage method 1, 2
  • Mark the discard date clearly on the bottle at time of dispensing 1, 2
  • Counsel patients/caregivers to discard any remaining suspension after 10 days even if medication remains 1, 2

References

4
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

5
Research

Bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil formulations.

Journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 1994

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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