Will Cefdinir cover a skin infection?

From the Guidelines

Cefdinir for Skin Infections

Cefdinir, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, is effective against a wide range of bacterial skin infections, including those caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus 1. For the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, cefdinir is typically administered orally at a dose of 300 mg twice daily for 10 days. The medication's broad-spectrum activity and pharmacokinetic properties make it a suitable option for covering skin infections, although the specific dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the severity and location of the infection.

Key Points:

• Effective against Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus 1
• Typical dosage: 300 mg twice daily for 10 days for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections
• Broad-spectrum activity makes it suitable for various skin infections
• Adjust dosage and duration based on infection severity and location

Considerations:

• Resistance patterns should be considered when selecting an antibiotic, especially for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections 1
• Combination therapy may be necessary for polymicrobial infections or severe cases 1
• Culture and susceptibility tests should guide definitive regimen selection 1

Overall, cefdinir is a viable option for treating skin infections, but its use should be guided by clinical judgment, consideration of local resistance patterns, and patient-specific factors.

From the FDA Drug Label

Once-daily dosing has not been studied in skin infections; therefore, cefdinir for oral suspension should be administered twice daily in this infection. Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections 7 mg/kg q12h 10 days

Cefdinir can be used to cover uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. The recommended dosage is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours for 10 days 2.

From the Research

Cefdinir Coverage for Skin Infections

• Cefdinir is an oral third-generation cephalosporin with good in vitro activity against the pathogens responsible for community-acquired respiratory tract infections and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The drug has shown good clinical and bacteriological efficacy in the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes 3, 4, 5, 6.
• Cefdinir 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 4, 6.

Efficacy and Safety

• Cefdinir has been shown to be effective in the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, with a similar adverse-event profile to comparator agents 3, 4, 6.
• The most common adverse event associated with cefdinir is diarrhea, which occurred more frequently in cefdinir recipients than in recipients of some comparator agents 4, 6.
• Cefdinir is considered to carry a very low risk of cross-reactivity with penicillin or ampicillin, making it a suitable option for patients with allergies to these antibiotics 7.

Specific Skin Infections

• Cefdinir has been shown to be effective against a range of skin infections, including folliculitis, impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, furuncles, carbuncles, and non-perirectal abscesses 7.
• The drug is particularly effective against Staphylococcus aureus, with activity 4- to 16-fold greater than that of other oral cephalosporins such as cefprozil and cephalexin 7.