Cefdinir and Nausea: What Users Say

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2020

For Bronchitis "I have a 15-year-old daughter with congenital heart disease. In March, right before everything was closed down due to the pandemic, she got really sick. Her INR was off, it was actually the first clue we had any idea something was wrong. She was admitted to the hospital to get that under control. They found lung effusions, abdominal abscesses, and she was having SVT. She ended up in ICU on pressors and major heart drugs, and had the effusions tapped. Here's where cefdinir comes in. They put her on cefdinir in the hospital and sent her home on that. (She also needed oxygen in the hospital). She was on cefdinir from March until around May 10th. Her lungs and abscesses cleared up, and she never got C. diff. 300 mg twice a day. I'm thankful this drug worked and didn't contradict any of her heart meds she's on. She did have occasional nausea and occasional diarrhea, but not C. diff. This was a very long-term use with a good outcome, and I just wanted to share."

• Whi...
• January 31, 2020

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed this cefdinir for a sinus infection. Supposed to take one 300 mg pill twice a day for 7 days. I took the first pill around 7 this morning, and by 11, I had horrible cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. It’s now 1:30, and I cannot leave the toilet. I will not be taking another pill if I survive this day. If you’re looking for a good colon cleanse, try these. Otherwise, AVOID AT ALL COSTS."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Sinusitis "Second time I’m on this cefdinir at a dose of 300 mg for ten days, twice daily. Worst medicine with horrendous side effects: light-headed, acid reflux, inability to sleep, nausea, with severe reactions. Almost lost consciousness several times, inability to control urine, and of course severe diarrhea. Horrible stuff."

• Emm...
• August 5, 2010

Cefdinir for Sinusitis "I have taken it many, many times for my chronic sinus infections, and it seems to be the only thing that ever gets rid of the infection. I do get stomach aches from it and nausea, but it does what it's supposed to."

• Bai...
• November 27, 2014

For Strep Throat "I was taking this for a bacterial infection that I got in my throat. It was amazing. The first few days my stomach hurt a little, but it was nothing horrible. I felt like almost a new person by the third day. When I first started taking, I came to this website wanting to read reviews and know what I was getting into, and it really scared me because all of these people had horrible experiences, but mine was fine. Great, and don't worry if you get a little nauseous because it's normal."

• che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2013

For Bronchitis "I found this medication to be quite effective, beginning on the first day of using it. I was prescribed this medication for bronchitis, sinus infection, and possible pneumonia. It has worked wonders in draining my sinuses and helping my cough. As far as side effects go, I have none. At first, there was mild nausea and a lack of appetite, but that has been it. I have the liquid form of this medication, and it said to take 1 teaspoon every 12 hours, but I have opted to take 1/2 teaspoon every six hours, 4 times a day, which has worked out a lot better in controlling my nausea. I have one more week to go on this medication, but so far, so good."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2019

"I took one pill of cefdinir for a UTI, and a couple hours later had diarrhea. The next morning I took another one, and now I am experiencing heart palpitations, extreme fatigue and weakness in my limbs, nausea, confusion, dizziness, severe anxiety. Please do not take this medicine!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2021

For Sinusitis "I'm shocked at all of the bad reviews! I am VERY, VERY sensitive to medications, and cefdinir was GREAT for my sinusitis and upper respiratory infection!! I took 300 mg, twice a day, and always with 2 soda crackers, and it worked WONDERFULLY!! No side effects! I also ate about 4 oz of yogurt daily, for a probiotic! I almost always get nausea from any medications, but not with cefdinir! Don't be hesitant from the bad reviews... it really is a great antibiotic!! Thank you~"

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

For Sinusitis "I was given Cefdinir 300 mg for a sinus infection. After the 3rd pill, I woke up the next morning with vertigo so bad that I was unable to walk to the bathroom - I had to crawl on hands and knees. For more than 24 hours, I was almost completely bed-bound with waves of nausea and vertigo so severe that simply rotating my head just a few degrees on my pillow sent the room spinning. I felt like I was dying. Almost 2 years later, I am still suffering from vertigo. Needless to say, I did not finish the prescription."

• CWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2019

"Prescribed cefdinir 300 mg 2x a day for 7 days for a UTI. After the 5th day, stopped. I have had several problems with my GI tract. Have been trying to repair the damage done from previous antibiotics. Feel like I just took a huge step backwards! Now my gut is worse than before. Side effects are nausea, chills, diarrhea, headache, anxiety, sleeplessness, and a horrible distended belly. No appetite either, terrible taste in my mouth, red (almost purple) tongue. Horrible drug. Seems most reviews are very similar. Should have declined this drug. One more night, for those of you writing reviews during the course should not write a review until AFTER you finish the course! Side effects more often begin after finishing the drug, duh!!! And this drug is considered a “wide spectrum antibiotic,” which means it will get rid of a lot of strains of bacteria, including the good gut bacteria. If you have to take this drug, I strongly recommend a good probiotic."

• Kaa...
• December 16, 2017

For Strep Throat "When I was first prescribed this for strep, I came here to look at reviews and was scared at first. Three days later, I feel a lot better and the worst side effect I've had was slight nausea for about a half hour after taking it. It works amazingly."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• jul...
• December 31, 2015

For Sinusitis "I saw my doctor for a bad sinus infection. He prescribed cefdinir. I took the first one and within a short while was violently vomiting, sweating profusely, very weak. Called 911 to help get me off the floor into a chair to be wheeled to the car. Went to the emergency room. The ER doctor said nausea and vomiting were due to the serious upper respiratory infection, but I see here it may have been the cefdinir. If any of the future doses make me sick, I'm going to ask for a different antibiotic."

• Hea...
• April 5, 2017

For Bronchitis "I was given this drug for bronchitis. I've had the worst diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea. I need to be near a toilet at all times for fear of destroying my pants. (Sorry for the TMI.) I'm starting to get better, so rather than feel like I have an intestinal virus, I'm just stopping the drug and riding out the rest of the bronchitis. That should tell you how awful I feel while taking this."

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I was prescribed cefdinir for strep, and after two doses, had a severe headache, nausea, diarrhea, and after 24 hours, broke out in very painful hives on my neck and chest - now I'm taking Benadryl and a topical - Clobetasol Propionate for the rash and a different antibiotic for the strep. After reading all the side effects people get from this drug, I do not recommend it."

• bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2018

For Bronchitis "Was given an Rx for this for 5 days. By dose 2, I had diarrhea that looked like coffee grounds and severe pinching-like pain in my stomach along with nausea and lack of appetite, sweating. At that point, I called my doctor's office back, who advised me to quit taking the drug and go get a probiotic because it had wreaked havoc on my stomach's enzymes and killed all the good bacteria, and to stay on a bland diet for several days. Another case of the treatment being worse than the original bronchitis. Will NEVER take again."

• Nat...
• February 27, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I was given this drug for an ear infection, taken 2 times a day for 10 days. After the first day, I had diarrhea and nausea. I stopped taking this on day 4, the symptoms were too much, and my ears felt no improvement."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2018

For Pneumonia "In the ER, I was given cefdinir for pneumonia, 300 mg, 2x daily. It seemed to help my pneumonia after 2 days, but I stopped taking it due to the severe cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. I haven't taken this medicine in 4 days and still have major symptoms. I looked online, and it says side effects can last up to 3 weeks. Needless to say, I won't be taking this medicine ever again."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Bronchitis "I took this antibiotic twice daily for acute bronchitis and a sinus infection. After 2 days of taking it, I started to have stomach discomfort and dizziness. I didn't realize at the time it could be because of the antibiotic. I started waking out of my sleep nauseous and vomiting for hours. I stopped taking it after 6 days, and more than two weeks later, I'm still dealing with the impact this had on my stomach. I'm unable to sleep, and I've missed work due to this. Now I'm taking multiple medications to cope with my stomach issues daily and still waiting to recover."

• Kk2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2019

For Strep Throat "Had strep and was prescribed a Z-pack. Finished it, and strep came back right away. Went to urgent care, this time was prescribed cefdinir. I am on day 5 out of 10. Throat still hurt until day 3 or 4, but not as bad as it did before the meds. Was tolerable. I didn’t need the lidocaine prescribed or ibuprofen after day 2. Had an immediate result the night I started this. I could barely even swallow, and hours after taking this felt slight relief. Day 5 was the first day I could say throat didn’t hurt. Side effects were a gassy stomach, some mild nausea. Nothing really. Overall, think it’s good. Feel drastically better."

• prd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I was prescribed this 10-day medication for an ear infection after Amoxicillin did not work the first time. I was also prescribed Prednisone, a six-day treatment. I took note of eating yogurt after taking the prescribed two doses every day to ward off any yeast infections. The side effects of this medicine kicked in the first day: nausea. Second day I was okay. Third day started getting headaches, confusion, and a few stomach cramps. Fourth day, full-on migraine, no stomach cramps. Fifth day, sixth day, seventh day, migraines were getting worse. I did not finish the rest of the medication after the seventh day. Appetite had changed, I was eating more. But the migraines were godawful. It did help my Otitis Media."