Omnicef Dosage

Generic name: cefdinir
Dosage form: capsules, oral suspension
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 19, 2023.

(see INDICATIONS AND USAGE for Indicated Pathogens)

Capsules

The recommended dosage and duration of treatment for infections in adults and adolescents are described in the following chart; the total daily dose for all infections is 600 mg. Once-daily dosing for 10 days is as effective as BID dosing. Once-daily dosing has not been studied in pneumonia or skin infections; therefore, OMNICEF Capsules should be administered twice daily in these infections. OMNICEF Capsules may be taken without regard to meals.

Adults and Adolescents (Age 13 Years and Older)
Type of Infection	Dosage	Duration
Community-Acquired Pneumonia	300 mg q12h	10 days
Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis	300 mg q12h or 600 mg q24h	5 to 10 days 10 days
Acute Maxillary Sinusitis	300 mg q12h or 600 mg q24h	10 days 10 days
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis	300 mg q12h or 600 mg q24h	5 to 10 days 10 days
Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections	300 mg q12h	10 days

Powder for Oral Suspension

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. Once-daily dosing for 10 days is as effective as BID dosing. Once-daily dosing has not been studied in skin infections; therefore, OMNICEF for Oral Suspension should be administered twice daily in this infection. OMNICEF for Oral Suspension may be administered without regard to meals.

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

OMNICEF FOR ORAL SUSPENSION PEDIATRIC DOSAGE CHART
Weight	125 mg/5 mL	250 mg/5 mL
a Pediatric patients who weigh ≥ 43 kg should receive the maximum daily dose of 600 mg.
9 kg/20 lbs	2.5 mL q12h or 5 mL q24h	Use 125 mg/5 mL product
18 kg/40 lbs	5 mL q12h or 10 mL q24h	2.5 mL q12h or 5 mL q24h
27 kg/60 lbs	7.5 mL q12h or 15 mL q24h	3.75 mL q12h or 7.5 mL q24h
36 kg/80 lbs	10 mL q12h or 20 mL q24h	5 mL q12h or 10 mL q24h
≥43 kga/95 lbs	12 mL q12h or 24 mL q24h	6 mL q12h or 12 mL q24h

Patients With Renal Insufficiency

For adult patients with creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, the dose of cefdinir should be 300 mg given once daily.

Creatinine clearance is difficult to measure in outpatients. However, the following formula may be used to estimate creatinine clearance (CLcr) in adult patients. For estimates to be valid, serum creatinine levels should reflect steady-state levels of renal function.

Males:	CLcr =	(weight) (140 – age)
		(72) (serum creatinine)

Females:	CLcr =	0.85 × above value

where creatinine clearance is in mL/min, age is in years, weight is in kilograms, and serum creatinine is in mg/dL.(3)

The following formula may be used to estimate creatinine clearance in pediatric patients:

	CLcr = K ×	body length or height
		serum creatinine

where K = 0.55 for pediatric patients older than 1 year(4) and 0.45 for infants (up to 1 year)(5).

In the above equation, creatinine clearance is in mL/min/1.73 m2, body length or height is in centimeters, and serum creatinine is in mg/dL.

For pediatric patients with a creatinine clearance of < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, the dose of cefdinir should be 7 mg/kg (up to 300 mg) given once daily.

Patients on Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis removes cefdinir from the body. In patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis, the recommended initial dosage regimen is a 300-mg or 7-mg/kg dose every other day. At the conclusion of each hemodialysis session, 300 mg (or 7 mg/kg) should be given. Subsequent doses (300 mg or 7 mg/kg) are then administered every other day.

Directions for Mixing Omnicef for Oral Suspension
Final Concentration	Final Volume(mL)	Amount of Water	Directions
125 mg/5 mL	60 100	38 mL 63 mL	Tap bottle to loosen powder, then add water in 2 portions. Shake well after each aliquot.
250 mg/5 mL	60 100	38 mL 63 mL	Tap bottle to loosen powder, then add water in 2 portions. Shake well after each aliquot.

After mixing, the suspension can be stored at room temperature (25°C/77°F). The container should be kept tightly closed, and the suspension should be shaken well before each administration. The suspension may be used for 10 days, after which any unused portion must be discarded.