Cefdinir and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2019

For Bronchitis "I’ve been on this med for 10 days, just took my last two pills. The first few days were the absolute worst... until I realized I needed to eat more when taking it. Since I couldn’t stomach anything else, I ate potatoes. This seemed to help a lot. I was also taking 3-4 pills of 5 million probiotics per pill. Once I figured out the full stomach and probiotic combo, the diarrhea and stomach cramping stopped."

• fit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2015

For Sinusitis "I am on my 4th day of the pill, and although my sinusitis is almost 100% gone, I have the worst diarrhea I've ever experienced in my life. I cannot be away from the bathroom for more than 30 min to an hour. I feel better physically, but this side effect is one to look out for."

• Iha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2016

For Sinusitis "My six-month-old had two doses before we had to stop due to GI issues. Over a week later, and she still has painful gas and diarrhea. We're tired because she doesn't sleep well. Cefdinir should be illegal."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed a 10-day dose of this horrific medication. By day 3, I was having diarrhea at least 10 times a day. I stopped taking it on day 5 after experiencing a terrible headache and intense joint pain, neither of which could be relieved by over-the-counter pain killers. That was 3 months ago, and I'm still not back to normal. I still have frequent bouts of diarrhea. My doc assures me it will go away with time and probiotics, but 3 months of diarrhea is too serious a side effect in my opinion. Also, this medication cost me over $50. Most other antibiotics are either free or cost a lot less than this poison!"

• Liv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Sinusitis "Sinus infection right now. I was given cefdinir to take twice daily. I'd never taken it before, but I do not like it. I swear it's making me dehydrated, tired, itchy, diarrhea the first 2 days, lots of side effects. I've taken amoxicillin before, so I am not sure why I was given this drug. My doctor told me to continue taking it for now. I have 4 days remaining, but I'm done with it. Oh, and my head still hurts, not as bad as it was, but it's still there."

• 59 ...
• December 20, 2010

For Bronchitis "Prescribed this medicine on Saturday along with a burst of prednisone for 5 days. Cefdinir really cleared my condition, but the side effects caused me to discontinue after 6 days due to chronic diarrhea, which has not stopped after stopping this medicine. Unusual fatigue. 1 day no urine. Lost 10 lbs. Will avoid using this drug."

• Top...
• November 7, 2015

For Sinusitis "I had taken this drug in the past, it made me vomit violently and diarrhea. When it was prescribed for me recently, I had forgotten that this was the drug that made me so sick. I took one capsule, and within 3 hours, was violently ill: massive diarrhea and vomiting. I was alone and could not even get to my phone for help. I lay on the floor of my shower for hours, having episode after episode. It is nearly 24 hours after taking it, and I am in such a weakened state I will not be getting out of bed. I feel I probably should have called 911 and gone to the hospital, I still am so dehydrated. This is an evil drug!"

• Ann...
• April 6, 2017

For Sinusitis "Took this medication twice a day for 10 days for infection of sinuses and adenoids. First three days, my stomach hurt and headaches. Remainder of the days, no side effects until the day I stopped taking it, developed diarrhea and severe stomach cramping that didn't go away. 5 days after stopping the med, now positive for C. diff. I even took probiotics through the entire course of the med. Getting married in a week. Thanks a lot, Cefdinir. I wanted everyone to be aware of this!!!!"

• pan...
• November 2, 2015

For Sinusitis "Day 8. I have had the most severe sinus/double infection of my life, and this medication has helped tremendously! I was worried it wasn't working at first, but by day 5, I felt so much better! On the downside, I have terrible headaches almost all day. I'll skip a day, then the headache is back. Ibuprofen helps a little bit, not much. Dizziness is terrible also. I have a little confusion and frustration at times. It's not too bad. Just the awful headaches, but I remember how bad my infections were before this medicine, and it's worth it. Slight diarrhea, but no big deal."

• Shu...
• January 21, 2016

Cefdinir for Bronchitis "Worst experience ever. I took one capsule and two hours later, I started diarrhea. I only took one more tablet 12 hours later. I had diarrhea for 4 weeks. I had a hemorrhoid flare-up. Never again will I take this drug. I think it took about 4 months to get my gut straightened out. Be very cautious of this drug."

• Bre...
• February 7, 2018

For Sinusitis "My doctor gave me this for my sinus infection. The two days OK, 3 days got a blister on my lip, thought it was a cold sore coming on! I finished my medicine on Sunday, and I have experienced constipation and then diarrhea. Haven't stopped, and very bad cramps. Didn't know that this medicine causes side effects. I would never, never, never have taken it."

• Max...
• February 5, 2016

For Sinusitis "I suffer from multiple sinus infections every year. Three days ago, I was prescribed cefdinir for the first time. It has caused unbearable nausea and diarrhea. After hearing that it has done the same for so many others, it angers me that a doctor would even consider prescribing this drug when there are other options that work better and do not have unacceptable side effects. Cefdinir is a failure in the field of medicine."

• Jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Sinusitis "My 7th day (out of 10) on cefdinir, and it did not work for me. It only gave me diarrhea and made me very tired all 7 days I was on it. I slept most of the time for the past 7 days. I was given it to treat sinusitis, which symptoms are the same, and now I feel I have bronchitis. My lungs and chest are filled with mucus. Still coughing non-stop like crazy, runny nose, post-nasal drip, headaches, fatigue, chest pain, congested. Cefdinir sucks! What a waste of my time & days. The doctor is going to prescribe another antibiotic. This time, a 5-day course. Insurance covered the medication, which I paid a $5.00 copay."

• L11...
• December 14, 2015

For Sinusitis "Terrible, terrible antibiotic. I took a Z-pack for my sinus infection, which usually helps but didn't this time, so my doc put me on cefdinir. No problems until the 3rd day. I woke up with the most terrible diarrhea I've ever had. Same the following day. It's almost 3 weeks later, and I still have the diarrhea and have gone to the ER once for IV fluids to help with my dehydration. I would NOT recommend."

• Mic...
• December 28, 2016

For Sinusitis "Horrible. Given for sinus infection. Day 8 today, not feeling better. Got the rash right away but tolerated it because I was so miserable from sinus infection. I wanted to get better. Day 5, flu-like symptoms, thought maybe I had caught the flu from my son? Now, I don't think that was it, I think it was the meds. High fever, aches, and pains. Have had horrible headaches throughout, assumed it was because of sinusitis, now wondering if it was from the meds. Called the doctor on day 6, and she said to keep taking it and call back if not better in another day. Now have developed cough and diarrhea. After reading these reviews, wish I had read them sooner... pretty sure all my new symptoms are not related to the sinus infection but to this medicine."

• Mol...
• December 29, 2016

For Sinusitis "Taking this antibiotic was fine for around 6 days, and then I was struck with intense nausea. Eventually, it ended in me throwing up and unable to eat for a day. My muscles hurt, and I had bad diarrhea. Also, my sinusitis was not helped at all."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis "Prescribed this drug because of a history of MONO with tonsillitis. I was very reluctant to take it but went ahead anyway. Besides the pill smelling like death, 4 days into it I was better and expedited extremely bad cramps, diarrhea, and bloating. I mistakenly took another dosage and was filled with hives all over. Still dealing with the second day of hives, the ER gave me 5 days of steroids. I’ve been on tons of antibiotics for recurring strep and tonsillitis and have NEVER experienced something like this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2017

For Sinusitis "I've been taking Cefdinir for 5 days so far with no adverse reactions as mentioned in some of the comments. No diarrhea, stomach cramps, etc. However, my sinus headache and cough are worse today... no better. I called my Dr. thinking he might want to give me a different type of antibiotic, but he said to stay on the Cefdinir. It's not helping. I am miserable. :*("

• Iha...
• February 23, 2016

For Sinusitis "I took Z-Pack for a full pack and still had an upper respiratory infection, so my Dr. prescribed this. I took it for 2 days and then started severe diarrhea, and after taking it for 5 days, I had to call 911 to get to the hospital. I was so dehydrated with diarrhea and nausea so bad I had to be hospitalized for six days! I see I'm not the only one that had these side effects."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2018

For Sinusitis "It was prescribed for a possible sinus infection. Knowing what I know now, I don't know why such a strong med was prescribed. I have taken things like amoxicillin in the past with no bad side effects. In addition to seeing no change in my symptoms, by the night of day 6 of 10 that I was supposed to take the drug, I was miserable. Shaking chills, dizziness, watery diarrhea, nausea with some vomiting. I actually wished that I could have vomited more because I felt so terribly nauseated. Now, on the morning after, still feeling nausea and dealing with diarrhea. Also headache. I hope and pray that the drug and its effects totally leave my body soon. I will never take cefdinir again. By the way, I did take the drug as prescribed and took probiotics."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2022

For Bronchitis "Was given it for a suspected respiratory infection after COVID. I started to have diarrhea the first day (6x that day) and continued to the next day. At this point, I had taken four pills (1 every 12 hours), and my doctor instructed me to stop taking it. It’s been a month, and I continue to still have GI issues (diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite). I’m working with a GI to resolve these issues, but in all honesty, I was perfectly healthy (22 years old) prior to taking this antibiotic. I didn’t even feel this bad when I had COVID. I honestly would try to take another antibiotic and to make sure you actually need them. A lot of doctors just give antibiotics out like candy, and that was my case. I had no infection, and it was most likely lingering effects of COVID because all the symptoms had gone away on their own, and now I’m dealing with GI issues I’ve never had until taking this antibiotic."

• sin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2017

For Sinusitis "Was prescribed cefdinir 300 mg twice daily for 10 days for a sinus infection. I was having sinus headaches and mild fever prior, so at first, I did not realize that the headache was from cefdinir now, and not from sinus issues. After the first 5 days, severe diarrhea developed, and headaches and nausea continued. But it did seemingly clear whatever was happening in the sinuses. I am on day 6. If headaches and stomach issues don't stop, will have to stop at day 7 and see if I need another antibiotic or done. It's a very rough drug, and reading all the long-term possible effects is a bit scary."

• Mis...
• October 31, 2015

For Bronchitis "I felt much better rather quickly. However, roughly 3 days into the medication, I experienced diarrhea, which subsided by day 5 and was followed by horrid itching of my anus. On day 9, the itching had spread to my lady areas. I am miserable and will never take this again."

• JAJ...
• December 30, 2015

For Sinusitis "This is day 3 of taking the medication, and although my sinusitis symptoms have majorly improved, I now have severe diarrhea and a pounding headache every day. Between the two, I can barely function. If it doesn't improve by tomorrow, I'm going to call the doctor's and hopefully switch to something else."

• iha...
• January 1, 2017

For Sinusitis "First sinus infection at 59 years old. My doctor is on vacation, so a nurse practitioner prescribed cefdinir. Took it for 5 days, stopped because of side effects: cramping, diarrhea. Was given a script of amoxicillin, which knocked out the sinus problem. The cefdinir effects went away a few days after I quit them, but as the warning says, it came back 8 weeks later with a vengeance. Has been 3 months now, my PCP referred me to Gastro, but when I told them I had gone to the ER and had blood work and tests for C-Diff 4 days before she called, I was told they could do a colonoscopy, but if I had an inflamed colon, there was nothing they could do but make it worse. If not inflamed, they could prescribe a couple of meds. Negative for C-Diff, taken 3 bottles of probiotics, lost?"