Omnicef Side Effects

Generic name: cefdinir

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 8, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Omnicef.

Applies to cefdinir: oral capsule, oral powder for suspension Side Effects associated with cefdinir. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Omnicef.

Applies to cefdinir: oral capsule, oral powder for suspension.

Precautions

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Cefdinir may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Serious side effects of Omnicef

Along with its needed effects, cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cefdinir:

Other side effects of Omnicef

Some side effects of cefdinir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cefdinir: oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution.

Gastrointestinal adverse events

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea (15%), nausea (3%), abdominal pain (1%), dyspepsia (0.7%), flatulence (0.7%), vomiting (0.7%), anorexia (0.3%), constipation (0.3%), dry mouth (03%), abnormal stools (0.3%), moniliasis (0.2%) and pseudomembranous colitis. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included stomatitis, acute enterocolitis, bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, melena, upper GI bleed, peptic ulcer, and ileus.^[Ref]

Reddish-colored stools have occurred when cefdinir was taken with iron-containing products, and may be due to the formation of non-absorbable complexes in the GI tract.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions associated with cephalosporin class antibiotics have included allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included anaphylaxis (with rare cases of fatality), serum sickness-like reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (0.9%) and pruritus (0.2%). Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, and erythema nodosum.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included vaginal moniliasis (4% of women), vaginitis (1% of women), leukorrhea (0.2% of women), increased urine leukocytes (2%), increased urine protein (1%), increased microhematuria (1%), increased urine glucose (0.9%), increased urine specific gravity (0.6%), decreased urine specific gravity (0.2%), increased urine pH (0.2%). Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with false-positive tests for urine glucose.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (2%), dizziness (0.3%), insomnia (0.2%), asthenia (0.2%), and somnolence (0.2%). Some cephalosporins have been associated with seizures in renally impaired patients. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included loss of consciousness.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included increased lymphocytes (1%), decreased lymphocytes (0.2%), increased white blood cells (0.9%), decreased white blood cells (0.7%), increased eosinophils (0.7%), decreased hemoglobin (0.3%), increased polymorphonuclear neutrophils (0.3%), decreased polymorphonuclear neutrophils (0.2%), and increased platelets (0.2%). Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included granulocytopenia, pancytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, bleeding tendency, coagulation disorder, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, hemorrhage, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (1%), increased alanine aminotransferase (0.7%), decreased bicarbonate (0.6%), increased phosphorus (0.6%), decreased phosphorus (0.3%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (0.4%), increased alkaline phosphatase (0.3%), increased blood urea nitrogen (0.3%), increased bilirubin (0.2%), increased lactate dehydrogenase (0.2%), and increased potassium (0.2%).^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects associated with cephalosporins as a class have included hepatic dysfunction, including cholestasis. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included acute hepatitis, cholestasis, fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, jaundice, and increased amylase.^[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects associated with cephalosporins as a class have included renal dysfunction and toxic nephropathy. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included acute renal failure and nephropathy.^[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included conjunctivitis.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included acute respiratory failure, asthmatic attack, drug-induced pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.^[Ref]

Other

Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included fever, shock, feeling of suffocation, and facial and laryngeal edema.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included cardiac failure, chest pain, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and allergic vasculitis.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience with cefdinir (the active ingredient contained in Omnicef) regardless of causality, have included involuntary movements and rhabdomyolysis.^[Ref]

Other

Geriatric patients have been reported to experience a lower rate of adverse events, including diarrhea, than younger patients.^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Cefdinir - Can a capsule be broken open and sprinkled on food?

Further information

Omnicef side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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