Cefdinir and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• Kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "I should have reviewed this terrible medication, cefdinir, months ago. I know I will never take this medication again. I have never had any reaction to any other antibiotics before. Healthy 50-year-old. I tend to resist new medications just because of reading side effects. I did not check this prior to taking it. I was prescribed this for an ear infection. I did not research this medication before because I thought it must have only happened to me, but now my grandson was prescribed this as well, and I needed to see if anyone else had my experience. Too many reviews with similar experiences. I was able to take it nine days until excessive diarrhea, vomiting profusely, temperature, and abdominal cramps. Four days clear liquids, five days of the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, two trips to the ER. Bottom line, destroys the good bacteria inside you, and the bad bacteria takes over. Intense stomach pain lasted 14 days. I hope this review helps someone before they start taking it. Stick with the basic antibiotics."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "I was put on this cefdinir med after a sinus procedure. After 4 days, my body felt like it was being poisoned. On day 6, my heart fluttered uncomfortably, along with horrible stomach pain. I went into urgent care. My ALT liver enzymes were elevated. This stuff is harsh on the body. I discontinued use that day and drank lots of water. I began to feel slightly better, possibly due to allowing my body to flush it out of its system. I do not like this drug."

• cjm...
• February 14, 2018

For Sinusitis "1.5 hours after the first dose. Severe stomach pain, projectile vomiting, and watery diarrhea for 6 hours, severe chills and sweating, panic, hyperventilating. I am 48 and not new to vomiting, etc.! This was unlike any other episode. Hospitalized for 3 days! Doctor brushed it off as flu! Tried a dose last night for a new sinus infection, and severe cramping and vomiting started within 3 hours of 1 dose! I will refuse this medication in the future!"

• Dyl...
• March 15, 2021

For Sinusitis "This medicine did help clear my sinus infection, but not nearly as fast as something like a Z-PAC or amoxicillin would have. And while it wasn’t as harsh on my stomach when it came to stomach aches and pains, it absolutely tore me up when it came to using the restroom. It has been 4 days since I’ve finished 12 days of this, and it’s still going. Overall, I wouldn’t take this medicine again, but it was effective at treating sinusitis."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2016

For Strep Throat "The Z-packs and erythromycin give me horrible stomach pain, burning, and diarrhea. Cefdinir does not at all. Make sure to take 12 hours apart and don't take alcohol or vitamins, and it will help the medicine work."

• JKM...
• January 31, 2018

For Sinusitis "I developed a sinus infection and two ear infections. I was dizzy, exhausted, sinuses were on fire, and my head hurt so bad! At about two weeks, I went to the doctor and took a round of Amoxicillin. It didn’t touch it. I was so miserable I went back right at the end of my prescription. Started Doxycycline. I’m a nurse and thought this would for sure do the trick. Nothing! About day five, my ears let up a bit, but still really suffering. Now I’m freaking out, have been taking Sudafed and ibuprofen around the clock for 3 weeks to keep the headaches at bay. I went back to the doctor at the end of day 10, and he started me on Cefdinir. I took Diflucan too to ward off a yeast infection. On my third dose of Cefdinir, I was feeling major improvements! I’m on day four and feel about 85-90% better. Some stomach pain-drinking lots of water, walking, take the med with food. The yeast infection is no fun, but I’m super grateful right now for this med!"

• Tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2021

For Sinusitis "I’m a healthy 26-year-old female. I finally went to my doctor when my cold wouldn’t go away. He said it had turned into a sinus infection and prescribed me Cefdinir. After 48 hours, my sinus infection had almost cleared up, but I started experiencing lightheadedness, severe anxiety, disorientation, stomach pain, and a fast heartbeat to where I haven’t been able to do anything this past week. I’m on day 10 and just have 1 pill left, but I would not recommend this to anyone. Literally makes me feel like I’m dying! Talked to my doctor, and his response was it’s a strong medication with strong side effects. The mornings have been the worst. Side effects start about 40 minutes to an hour after taking and then subside after another few hours."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

Cefdinir for Pneumonia "My sister’s pediatrician gave her this antibiotic to treat her flu. My sister is 15 years old but has a rare syndrome, and she is still like a baby! She got very bad stomach pain, black stool, and the worst part! We almost lost her by a seizure! She hasn't had a seizure in 10 years! Horrible experience! Never recommending this!"

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2019

For Strep Throat "Awful, awful experience with this drug cefdinir for strep throat. I had been sick for two weeks, and my husband had tested positive for strep, so I decided to go to the doctor, and he said might as well treat for strep. He prescribed cefdinir 300 mg. I waited until the next day to start. Forty-five minutes after taking the first dose, I suddenly had a migraine (which I do sometimes get), but my stomach also started hurting. Both became so intense I decided I needed to lay down. I had chills and hot flashes, and my vision started blurring, and it felt as if I were on a boat. After an hour of taking the dosage, I threw up and felt slightly better. I then slept 5-6 hours and still woke up with a bit of a headache and stomach ache. I felt worse after taking this drug than I did suffering through two weeks of being sick."

• tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2017

For Strep Throat "I was prescribed this for suspected strep throat. I had fever, ear pain, and swollen tonsils, so my doctor went ahead and prescribed this before the culture came back. The first day I had loose stools and nausea. This continued until the fifth day, I had muscle pain that OTC pain meds couldn't relieve. It was a struggle to walk to the bathroom. Pounding headache, sensitivity to light. Watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps. Fever and body chills-my entire body was trembling, and teeth were chattering. I've taken many antibiotics in the past, and this is the first one that has given me trouble. I wish I had been prescribed amoxicillin, I tolerate it much better."

• oal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For Middle Ear Infections "I’m a 22-year-old who was prescribed this for an ear infection/sinus infection (300 mg twice a day for 10 days). I’ve taken this probably 3-4 different times before and have had no issues. It works great at getting rid of the infection, by day 3, I felt much better. HOWEVER, also by day 3, I was having diarrhea and stomach pain after every meal. Yesterday was day 6, and I’m done. My stomach pain has gotten worse, along with the diarrhea. I feel well from the infection, but I just can’t keep taking this. So mad that it started giving me side effects for no reason."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2018

For Strep Throat "My son was prescribed this for strep throat. After a couple of days of taking it, he was doubled over with severe stomach pain. Then the diarrhea set in. I stopped giving it to him and took him back to the doctor to get a different medication. They asked us to bring a stool sample, and when it was tested, concluded that he now had C. diff, on top of strep throat, caused by the antibiotic. I will never use this medication again."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "First time on this medication. I usually take amoxicillin, but the stomach pain and my other meds can interfere with it, so I was given 300 mg capsules to take twice daily for 7 days. It cleared up the infection fine, but I am coughing so hard it's knocking the wind out of me and causing chest pain. Not to mention that with COVID around, coughing my lungs out at school isn't ideal. Haven't had any other side effects, or if I have, it's been overshadowed by my second COVID shot side effects. I'd rather the stomach ache than this, honestly."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2017

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed on a Tuesday to take cefdinir for a sinus infection (alongside a steroid, which I only took for a day). Tuesday went fine, I felt better. Wed PM before my fourth dosage, I had intense stomach pain (I can normally handle stomach pain/cramps) and was advised to eat something. Felt better and took my 4th pill. Woke up around 3 am Thursday, and I could taste the pill in my mouth (indigestion/reflux). Pushed it off, went to sleep, and woke up an hour later, and I thought I was dying on the toilet. Stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting (at the same time) and this weird finger cramp where I couldn’t move my fingers, along with panic/shallow breathing. This lasted off and on for almost two hours (mostly diarrhea), and I was too scared to finish the RX."

• Foo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Prescribed cefdinir 300 mg (BID x 7 days) to prevent infection (I have artificial hips) after foot surgery. I've only had three doses so far. I've had a bad headache for about 18 hours, intense stomach pain, overall weakness and exhaustion, plus a little nausea. Taking with food doesn't seem to make a difference. I do not feel my symptoms are severe enough to discontinue use... yet. I will continue monitoring the stomach pain and weakness, as they are not pleasant."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2022

For Skin and Structure Infection "I am taking cefdinir for a painful kidney/bladder infection. It really helped with infection pain after 24 hours. Then, on day 3, I got severe stomach pain and bloating. It happened after I ate dinner. I had a bad taste and smell. Yuk! I drank water but couldn’t get rid of the pain. It’s 12:30 a.m., and I can’t sleep, and I called poison control to see what I could take for pain. Nothing. I plan on calling the doctor in the morning. I won’t use this antibiotic again. I have never reacted like this."

• Awk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2022

For Middle Ear Infections "I am not allergic to anything, but I will write cefdinir down on every doctor form going forward. This was the absolute worst experience. Went in for an ear infection, haven’t had one since I was a kid. By day 2, I realized the medicine was actually making me worse and causing the pain to return. It also led to excruciating stomach pain and tightness in my lungs and muscles. Completely healthy, mid-30s, and this drug destroyed me."

• Con...
• May 30, 2017

For Strep Throat "My daughter had a non-IGE-mediated allergic reaction to this medication in Sept 2016 and in May 2017. It caused her to have a high fever and chills, temps of 104.6 for 5 days in a row and stomach pain behind her belly button. She threw up one morning from the fever."

• Kft...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2022

For Sinusitis "The cefdinir seemed to help. I had very thick drainage in the back of my throat for several months. However, on day 8 of the antibiotic, I got a fever…fairly low of about 100.5. But horrible body aches. Far worse than what I had with Covid and a fever of 103. Then the diarrhea started. Couldn't stay away from the bathroom. Horrible stomach pain as well. I'll never take it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2015

For Sinusitis "Worked great for me, knocked out my sinus infection and bronchial infection. I read the negative reviews and ate lots of yogurt to keep my stomach from hurting."

• Sar...
• February 18, 2018

For Sinusitis "Terrible stomach pain and intense vomiting. Tried this drug twice, and it happened twice. Same when my daughter used it. Bad drug. Don't know how they can sell this."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For Sinusitis "This drug starts out okay, but by the 6th day, bloating, stomach pains, and a horrible ear infection! Do not take this drug!"