Cefdinir and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Rya...
• September 14, 2019

For Sinusitis "I’ve taken this medicine before but I guess I was very sick. That I never noticed the side effects or maybe didn’t get them till now. I was on 300mg cefdinir 2x for 7 days. By day 6, I finally realized I was having adverse reactions and not just feeling sick. From a severe headache that nothing is helping, which includes pins and needles, with an extremely ITCHY SCALP all still present 24hrs after stopping! It’s driving me mad! It made my anxiety go through the roof, I felt pressure in my ears with tinnitus, intestinal distress, lack of appetite, thirst, feeling irregular heartbeats, feelings of overall malaise & doom. I seriously contemplated going to the ER thinking I was having a major health crisis until I looked at my date book & everything started on day 2 of antibiotics. I doubt it helped at all, as I tried hiding in bed most of the time. I hope this helps someone. Always journal when you're sick;)"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "This is by far the worst medication I have ever been on. I’m allergic to amoxicillin, so cefdinir was prescribed to cure my ear infection. I can’t begin to explain the horror with this medication. I had awful chest, back, and arm pains. I had this pain when I would breathe in the back of my throat that was almost similar to how it feels with my asthma attacks. I had ringing in my ears, awful anxiety (which really sucks because I was finally doing better with my panic attacks), fatigue, and stomach burning. I stopped the medication after 4 days. This drug is definitely a nightmare! I’d prefer the ear infection."

• hel...
• February 7, 2019

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed this medication for bacterial pneumonia in my left lung, 2x per day for 10 days. I have to say the reviews of this antibiotic are quite scary. I am extremely sensitive to medications of any kind, and I have had very minimal side effects with this medication. I am currently on day 7 of my prescription, and aside from a little stomach upset here and there, I have really had no other issues. My facial skin has been drier, more irritated, and a bit more blotchy than usual, which I guess I attribute to this prescription because nothing else in my day-to-day life has changed. It took about 3-4 days to notice the medication helping to any degree. Pneumonia does take time to heal, so I didn't expect a miracle from this drug. It had helped clear the infection with very minimal side effects. Don't let the dramatic reviews scare you as I did."

• 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."

• Ell...
• February 11, 2020

For Sinusitis "I took this medication, cefdinir 300 mg, dose 2x a day for a sinus infection for 10 days. I have a VERY VERY sensitive stomach-I didn't have ANY stomach upset (maybe just some gas). Don't let the reviews scare you if you haven't started them yet. I tend to be the 1 in 100 people that have reactions, and I was fine. By day 10, I did end up with a yeast infection-woohoo for being female. After day 2/3, my face felt better. Make sure you take them with a meal, and you'll be fine. Tip: take a probiotic 2 hours after your antibiotic. Although it didn't touch my ear infection, I'm now on a round of amoxicillin."

• 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."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2016

For Sinusitis "Started this to fight a sinus infection. Four days in, seemed to improve. Only negative was a bad headache. Night four, horrible night sweats and chills to the bone. I couldn't function at work and was still getting chills and stomach cramps. Then the constant diarrhea started. Day five, I had a fever of 102 to go along with body shakes, headache, and still diarrhea. I thought it was the flu, so I continued medication, but by day seven, I had had no relief from it, called my doctor, and she told me to stop meds immediately. I just stopped and am hoping for some relief. I am dehydrated and weak and still can't leave the bathroom for more than 20 minutes! Bad reaction and hoping for some relief!"

• 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."

• 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!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2017

Cefdinir for Sinusitis "I was just fine on Cefdinir for the first six days (actually, I remarked how this was one antibiotic that didn't wipe me out). I did take probiotics with it, along with the prednisone tablets (bronchitis and sinus infection). Then on the seventh day, when I took the last two, the cramping started. OMG. I am so sick! It has been two days since I finished the dosage, and I have a constant stomach ache and have trouble breathing. Gax X doesn't help the cramps much. I wish I had read these reviews before I took this stuff. So, this is going to last and last, and then, if it goes away, it comes back another day? That looks to be what I'm reading."

• 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. :*("

• 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."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2017

For Sinusitis "I was given this antibiotic for the first time just around the day before New Year's Eve 2017, and man, I will never take this again. Like most of the posts I read say, it was fine for about 5 days. Then on the 6th day, I noticed stomach cramping and severe diarrhea. I stopped on day 7 when I started realizing it was the antibiotic. In doing the research, I found that this is one of those broad-spectrum bacteria killers, so it also kills the good bacteria, and I think doctors should be more restrictive on prescribing this. Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a few days, if not, I guess back to the ER I go."

• Kat...
• February 22, 2017

For Sinusitis "I guess I'm one of the few having a positive experience. I was given this drug for a sinus infection in my sphenoid sinus. I'm on day 10 of 14. I just had a CT, and the severe infection is almost gone. I'm having some stomach cramps that started today (and may not even be related). I will start taking probiotics after these reviews though!"

• 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."

• dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2021

For Skin and Structure Infection "Every time I took one of these antibiotics, I would get a distended stomach, itching, sleeplessness, migraine, and flu symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, raspy dry voice, stuffed/runny nose, fever, chills, and horrific body pain. It took me 3 days of taking these pills to realize I always got significantly worse right after taking the pill but would get a little better before the next dose was due. I thought I had COVID and was dying, that’s how severe the symptoms were. I could barely get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Never again."

• 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."

• Tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

For Sinusitis "My ENT prescribed cefdinir (for 21 days) along with azelastine nasal spray and methylprednisolone (12 days) for a severe sinus infection that was not relieved by taking Amox-Clav. On day 7, I got a fever. The fever was off/on for 4 days. When that subsided, the diarrhea hit. It was pale, white, and fleshy stools with stomach cramps every couple of hours. After 5 days, I saw my family doctor who did blood tests. Coming back normal, she decided my symptoms were side effects of the cefdinir. I had one day of feeling decent, and then the headache and fever came back. So far, I have missed three days of work and a weekend. Diarrhea has subsided a little. Stools are now really soft/liquidy but normal color. I'm on day 15 of 21."

• Ren...
• May 25, 2016

For Sinusitis "I have been taking this medicine for sinusitis (300 mg twice a day), or however you spell it. It has only been 1 day, so I have only taken it twice, spaced out between 12 hours. One at 7:18 am and one at 7:18 pm. I have now been awake since 4 am with an upset stomach, stomach gurgling, and my bowels are slowly turning into diarrhea. I only made a bowel movement once while taking this so far, and I can tell it is about to go down if I keep taking it :( (I am normally very constipated). As far as for my sinusitis, it has seemed to improve my sore, itchy throat a little. I guess I should stick it out and drink plenty of water to see how I feel. I just do not want to vomit. :("

• Ren...
• May 25, 2016

For Sinusitis "I have been taking this medicine for sinusitis (300 mg twice a day), or however you spell it. It has only been 1 day, so I have only taken it twice, spaced out between 12 hours. One at 7:18 am and one at 7:18 pm. I have now been awake since 4 am with an upset stomach, stomach gurgling, and my bowels are slowly turning into diarrhea. I only made a bowel movement once while taking this so far, and I can tell it is about to go down if I keep taking it :( (I am normally very constipated). As far as for my sinusitis, it has seemed to improve my sore, itchy throat a little. I guess I should stick it out and drink plenty of water to see how I feel. I just do not want to vomit. :("

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "Got prescribed because of my sinus infection. -1/10 I do not recommend. I have the worst stomach cramps ever and really bad diarrhea, and this morning I woke up with a clogged ear and can’t hear anything out of it. It has not helped my sinus infection at all, and please do not use this antibiotic."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

"I had a raging UTI, but I can’t have Augmentin, so was put on this instead. Besides the red bowel movements (wasn’t prepared for that one) and a weird buzzing feeling in my legs, it’s doing its job. Maybe a minor headache and stomach upset? Could have just been the infection, though. Took about 48 hours to feel mostly back to normal."